Experience John James Audubon’s spectacular watercolor models for the 435 plates of The Birds of America (1827–38) with their corresponding plates from the double-elephant-folio series, engraved by Robert Havell Jr.
Experience John James Audubon’s spectacular watercolor models for the 435 plates of The Birds of America (1827–38) with their corresponding plates from the double-elephant-folio series, engraved by Robert Havell Jr.
2nd floor, Audubon Birds of America: Krystyna Doerfler Focus Gallery
Did you know that the New-York Historical Society houses the world's largest collection of Auduboniana? One of the great American artist-naturalists, John James Audubon (1785–1851) was the legendary rara avis who created the landmark Birds of America (1827–38). Experience highlights from Audubon’s spectacular watercolor models for the 435 plates of The Birds of America with their corresponding plates from the double-elephant-folio series, engraved by Robert Havell Jr. This intimate gallery—the only place in the world where one can see the artist's watercolor model, the Havell plate, and reduced octavo-edition exhibited together—features a bimonthly rotation that highlights a single species at a time. Each rotation also includes other watercolors and Auduboniana to showcase the artist’s creative process and his contributions to ornithological illustration. Curated by Roberta J.M. Olson, curator of drawings emerita.
Note: Due to the watercolor medium and its paper support, these light-sensitive works can only be displayed for short periods of time under low light levels. The gallery allows New-York Historical to share these national treasures with the public while preserving them for future generations.
Spotlighted Species: Worm-eating Warbler
(through Sunday, July 17)
Audubon, the National Audubon Society, reports that with the clearing of forests, the Worm-eating Warbler has disappeared from some areas of its range. Although the current numbers appear stable, the species becomes more vulnerable to parasitism by cowbirds where forests are broken up into smaller patches. Despite its name the bird does not eat earthworms, although caterpillars are in its diet, but not more than other warblers. Just as Audubon depicted in his watercolor, spiders are staples in the bird's diet. Keeping on the ground in dense undergrowth to forage for food and nesting in forests on steep slopes, the Worm-eating Warbler might go unnoticed except for its vocalizations, including a loud chip followed by a dry trilling song.
Highlights
Shop the Audubon Collection
Browse the NYHistory Store for a vast collection of Audubon-themed gifts including books, apparel, prints, and more.
Exhibitions at New-York Historical are made possible by Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang and Oscar Tang, the Saunders Trust for American History, the Evelyn & Seymour Neuman Fund, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. WNET is the media sponsor.
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