| Louisville Audubon Society 3745 Illinois Avenue Louisville, KY 40213 |
John James Audubon
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This page
last updated
on 13 May 08.
last updated
on 13 May 08.
| Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) hunted to extinction by John James Audubon (He painted other images of this bird while living in Louisville.) |
Audubon was born in Haiti, educated
in France and moved to the US in
1803 to avoid Napoleon's war draft.
in France and moved to the US in
1803 to avoid Napoleon's war draft.
Abandoning the custom of painting wildlife in
stiff poses, he used wire to hold a dead bird in
a lifelike pose, frequently with outstretched
wings. He further revolutionized wildlife
painting by portraying his specimens in their
natural habitats.
When accompanied by Swiss painter George
Lehman, Audubon frequently cut out his
favorite painting of a bird and glued it onto
one of Lehman's landscapes, yet rarely
credited Lehman for his contributions.
Audubon dedicated himself to publishing
books of hand-colored engravings of his
paintings of every bird species in North
America. Because he insisted that each bird's
portrayal be life-sized, the books had "double
elephant" pages, 39.5 inches by 28.5 inches!
stiff poses, he used wire to hold a dead bird in
a lifelike pose, frequently with outstretched
wings. He further revolutionized wildlife
painting by portraying his specimens in their
natural habitats.
When accompanied by Swiss painter George
Lehman, Audubon frequently cut out his
favorite painting of a bird and glued it onto
one of Lehman's landscapes, yet rarely
credited Lehman for his contributions.
Audubon dedicated himself to publishing
books of hand-colored engravings of his
paintings of every bird species in North
America. Because he insisted that each bird's
portrayal be life-sized, the books had "double
elephant" pages, 39.5 inches by 28.5 inches!
Rediscover Audubon: The Kentucky
Bicentennial will be celebrated this
year in several locations, including
the Louisville area.
Bicentennial will be celebrated this
year in several locations, including
the Louisville area.
John James Audubon (1785-1851), "The American
Woodsman," ornithologist, naturalist, painter and
namesake of the National Audubon Society, of
which the Louisville Audubon Society is a chapter.
Woodsman," ornithologist, naturalist, painter and
namesake of the National Audubon Society, of
which the Louisville Audubon Society is a chapter.
To raise the necessary funds, he sold advance
subscriptions. Yet only the wealthy could afford such a
luxury nearly two centuries ago. So Audubon shrewdly
tapped affluent European's keen interest in the American
frontier. Dressed in buckskins and telling more than his
share of tall tales, the "American Woodsman" made the
rounds among European socialites' parties and charmed
his way into enough
subscription sales to
realize his dream. Once
the first volume was
published, Audubon and
his talents quickly became
sensations.
Though he focused on
birds, Audubon also
painted other animals,
in their native habitats.
subscriptions. Yet only the wealthy could afford such a
luxury nearly two centuries ago. So Audubon shrewdly
tapped affluent European's keen interest in the American
frontier. Dressed in buckskins and telling more than his
share of tall tales, the "American Woodsman" made the
rounds among European socialites' parties and charmed
his way into enough
subscription sales to
realize his dream. Once
the first volume was
published, Audubon and
his talents quickly became
sensations.
Though he focused on
birds, Audubon also
painted other animals,
in their native habitats.
"Louisville extends along the river for seven or eight miles
. . . The rumbling sound of the waters, as they tumble
over the rock paved bed of the rapids, is at all times
soothing to the ear. Fish and game are abundant. But
above all, the generous hospitality of the inhabitants . . .
had induced me to fix upon it as a place of residence."
. . . The rumbling sound of the waters, as they tumble
over the rock paved bed of the rapids, is at all times
soothing to the ear. Fish and game are abundant. But
above all, the generous hospitality of the inhabitants . . .
had induced me to fix upon it as a place of residence."
Audubon traveled throughout the Eastern United States,
aiming to locate, study and capture the likeness of every
species of bird -- though ironically sometimes shooting
many dozens of a species as models until he had a
satisfactory image.
aiming to locate, study and capture the likeness of every
species of bird -- though ironically sometimes shooting
many dozens of a species as models until he had a
satisfactory image.
| Marsh Hares hand-colored stone lithograph from Quadrupeds of North America by John James Audubon |
He and his new bride, Lucy Bakewell
Audubon, moved to Louisville, KY, in
1808, where he ran a general store when he wasn't
pursuing birds. Their first child, Victor Gifford Audubon,
was born there. They moved to Henderson, KY, in 1811.
Audubon, moved to Louisville, KY, in
1808, where he ran a general store when he wasn't
pursuing birds. Their first child, Victor Gifford Audubon,
was born there. They moved to Henderson, KY, in 1811.
Audubon's Paintings of Endangered Birds
(including MP3 recordings)
(including MP3 recordings)
| Belted Kingfisher by John James Audubon (He painted other images of this bird while living in Louisville.) |
| Summer Tanagers by John James Audubon (He painted other images of this bird while living in Louisville.) |
Use this lesson plan (provided with permission from River
Fields, Inc) and the story of John James Audubon to
teach about art history, ecology, the Passenger Pigeon
and how modern-day conservationists are protecting
habitat, wildlife and water quality along the Ohio River.
Learn more about John James Audubon and his
important contributions to natural and art history, by
visiting these sites:
Fields, Inc) and the story of John James Audubon to
teach about art history, ecology, the Passenger Pigeon
and how modern-day conservationists are protecting
habitat, wildlife and water quality along the Ohio River.
Learn more about John James Audubon and his
important contributions to natural and art history, by
visiting these sites: