Whooping Crane, Grus Americana

Description:

Robert Havell Jr. engraved this copper plate in 1834 for John James Audubon's publication, Birds of America, published in Britain between 1827 and 1838 as a series of large folio engravings. The Museum's Graphic Arts Collection includes seven of the original copper plates and prints from a number of editions of the work.

Birds of America was published in several formats. The first large folio edition was intended for wealthy patrons or institutions. Later editions, produced in the United States. for a more general audience, included text and smaller, less costly lithographic illustrations.

Audubon introduced new species and new artistic forms. His dramatic images of birds, pictured life-size in animated poses with realistic backgrounds, represented a departure from the conventions of natural history illustration. His artistic ingenuity, as reproduced in engravings and lithographs, won new audiences for the subject of nature study, eventually leading to the organization of Audubon societies.

Date Made: 1834

Referenced: Audubon, John JamesHavell, Jr., RobertEngraver: Havell, Jr., RobertOriginal Artist: Audubon, John James

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United Kingdom: England, London

Subject: PrintmakingBirds

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Graphic Arts, Natural Resources, Art

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of William E. Dodge, Jr.

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: GA.16984Catalog Number: 16984Accession Number: 15996

Object Name: plateplate, printingObject Type: Aquatintprinting platesEngravingOther Terms: plate; Engraving

Physical Description: metal, steel-faced (overall material)copper (overall material)Measurements: overall: 39 1/4 in x 26 1/8 in; 99.695 cm x 66.3575 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-2d13-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_802057

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