Engraving by John James Audubon

John James Audubon (Jean-Jacques Audubon; 1785 – 1851) was an artist-naturalist from Haiti, famous for his detailed and dramatic renderings of the wildlife in the Americas, particularly birds. Audubon's legacy rests on his monumental work, The Birds of America, a series of life-sized prints made from engraved plates, which remains one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. His technique involved detailed sketches from nature, which were then engraved and hand-coloured. Audubon’s work is notable for its scientific accuracy blended with artistic elegance.