John James Audubon Criticism
John James Audubon, born Jean Jacques Fougere Rabin in 1785, is celebrated as a pioneering American naturalist, artist, and writer, best known for his work The Birds of America. His life combined art, science, and exploration into a unique legacy that deeply influenced natural history and ornithology. Adopted by his father after being born in Santo Domingo (now Haiti), Audubon moved to the United States to manage an estate near Philadelphia. There, he began his passionate study of birds, eventually embarking on expeditions along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to gather specimens for his ambitious project.
Audubon's paintings were revolutionary for their lifelike portrayal of birds in dynamic poses and natural habitats, as detailed in his essay on his techniques, My Style of Drawing Birds. The Birds of America, published between 1827 and 1838, consisted of 435 hand-colored, lifesize plates, establishing his fame and financial security. His accompanying Ornithological Biography offered detailed insights into bird behaviors and American frontier life, enriching his reputation as both a scientist and a writer.
Audubon's work did not end with birds. His later years were devoted to The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, a study of mammals that he completed with his sons and John Bachman, underscoring his exhaustive dedication to natural history. As highlighted in An introduction to Delineations of American Scenery and Character, his autobiographical "Episodes" in the Ornithological Biography vividly depicted early 19th-century American life and landscapes.
Though criticized in his time for romanticizing his subjects, as noted by Ludlow Griscom, Audubon’s narrative style has been lauded for its vividness and personal engagement with nature, a sentiment echoed in Larger than Life. His approach paved the way for later nature writers like Henry David Thoreau and John Muir. The National Audubon Society, founded in his honor, has become a leading conservation organization, perpetuating his legacy as a cornerstone of American environmentalism.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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My Style of Drawing Birds
(summary)
In the following essay, originally published at the time The Birds of America appeared, Audubon explains his techniques for making his bird paintings appear lifelike.
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A Great Naturalist
(summary)
In the following review, the critic commends the interest of Audubon 's published journals, noting their intense human and sensational fascination and their autobiographical nature, which reveal the character of Audubon. The review highlights Audubon's graphic style and his experiences as a naturalist, emphasizing his unique personality and background.
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An introduction to Delineations of American Scenery and Character
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Herrick discusses Audubon's life and works, focusing on the "Episodes" in his Ornithological Biography.
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John James Audubon: American Scenery and Character
(summary)
In the following essay, Donald Culross Peattie, Robert Cushman Murphy, and Mark Van Doren explore John James Audubon's dual legacy as both a painter and writer, emphasizing how his "Delineations of American Scenery and Character" capture a vivid, Eden-like portrait of early 19th-century America, reflecting his passionate and multifaceted genius.
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An introduction to Audubon's Birds of America
(summary)
In the following essay, Griscom discusses Audubon as a painter and ornithologist.
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John James Audubon: Some Remarks on His Writings
(summary)
In the following essay, Fries discusses Audubon's writings, including his letters and journals and the Ornithological Biography.
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Larger than Life
(summary)
In the following essay, he reviews John James Audubon: A Biography by Alexander B. Adams (1966). Rejecting Adams's contention that Audubon was overly concerned with money-making, Mumford insists instead that his only true passion was the study of birds.
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An introduction to The Imperial Collection of Audubon Animals: The Quadrupeds of North America
(summary)
Cahalane was an American natural historian. In the following excerpt he discusses the compilation and publication of The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.
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In Search of the Real Mr. Audubon
(summary)
Durant is a novelist and natural historian and Harwood is an environmental journalist. In the following excerpt, they examine Audubon's origins, the reaction of contemporaries to his works, and his attitudes toward the environment.
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Audubon's Passion
(summary)
In the following essay, originally published in 1991, Gopnik places Audubon's life and art in the context of American history and culture.
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My Style of Drawing Birds
(summary)
- Further Reading