Autry Museum of Western Heritage
Los Angeles, California
213-667-2000
photo, ©1999 John Hazeltine
John James Audubon in the West: The Last Expedition. Mammals of North America
Millions of nature lovers are familiar with Audubon's exquisite portraits of birds in his masterpiece The Birds of America. Less well known, yet of great significance, is a second masterwork by the noted artist/naturalist, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America - a series of illustrations devoted to the four-legged mammals of North America. The story of this remarkable publication is the subject of a fascinating exhibition organized by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming.
John
James Audubon in the West explores the great naturalist's
1843 journey up the Missouri River and the resultant publication, The
Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. By combining original oils and
prints depicting mammals with artifacts collected along the journey and
the art of his contemporaries, this exhibition reveals Audubon's dual roles
as artist and scientist. Through art and environmental history, Audubon
is established as an important contributor to both the scholarly and creative
milieu of his time. (left: John James Audubon, Swift Fox (detail),
plate 52, hand-colored lithograph. Image: Buffalo Bill Historical Center,
Cody, Wyoming)
An ambitious adventurer who believed in the importance
of firsthand observation, Audubon found that documenting the animal life
of the American West posed even greater challenges to his considerable skills
as an artist-naturalist 
than did the birds. Some species, like the black-footed
ferret, were already in danger of extinction, while others simply eluded
him. The ambitious project also sorely tested the physical and mental stamina
of the aging artist, who faltered before he could complete the work. Fortunately
for posterity, Audubon's two sons, along with his old friend and colleague,
the Reverend John Bachman, and the talented Philadelphia Lithographic Company
of J. T. Bowen, completed the job. (right: John James Audubon, J.
T. Bowen, lithographer, Eastern Grey Squirrel, 1842. hand-colored
lithograph, 26 1/2 x 22 7/16 inches. Image: Buffalo Bill Historical Center,
Cody, Wyoming)
This
unique exhibition presents the first comprehensive look at Audubon's final
expedition to the West. Given the ongoing debate over the future of wilderness
and wildlife throughout the region, it is a particularly timely inquiry.
Bringing together art and science, the exhibition uses Audubon's exquisite
illustrations to document his final journey and the creation of his second
great masterpiece. Also included in the exhibit are original documents and
artifacts from the exploration party - including Audubon's letters detailing
their progress, and Native American artifacts and significant works of art
by Audubon's contemporaries including George
Catlin and Alfred
Jacob Miller. (left: John James Audubon, J. T. Bowen, lithographer,
Bos Americanus, American Bison or Buffalo, plate #56, 1845, hand-colored
lithograph, 19 x 25 1/8 inches. Image: Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody,
Wyoming)
Read earlier articles relating to John James Audubon:
Other Audubon image and biography resources on the Internet:
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