Bay Area - Animal Prints

This is a hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Grypus Naevius" (Saw-bill Hummingbird with Nest & Eggs) by John Gould, published in his "A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds", published in London in 1850. The print, which was drawn by Gould and Henry Richter and lithographed by Hullmandel and Walton, depicts three black, brown and peach-colored hummingbirds about a nest, containing at least two eggs. The beautiful soft grey-green foliage includes a white, soft pink and cranberry-colored flower. This beautiful Gould hand-colored hummingbird lithograph is augmented with iridescent gum-arabic paint. It is in excellent condition. The original text page is included, which has extensive foxing, as lower quality paper was used for the text pages. There are several other unframed Gould hummingbird lithographs available via our 1stdibs storefront. Two or more of these would make an attractive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of a set depending on the number. These additional Gould hummingbirds...

A hand-colored copperplate engraving of a bird and plants by Mark Catesby (1683-1749) entitled "The Crested Titmous" from "The Natural History of Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Bahama Islands", published in 1731. It depicts a small Crested Titmous bird, facing left, perched on the stem of a plant with clusters of mauve colored star-like flowers. This original Catesby hand-colored engraving, on laid paper with a large central Fleur-de-Lys watermark, is presented in a cream color French mat. The mat measures 20" x 15.5" and the sheet measures 18.75" x 14.75". Mark Catesby was born in England to a prosperous family, but he traveled to America, first to visit his sister and her husband in 1712. From 1712 to 1719 he explored America observing its birds and plants, taking notes, creating drawings and collecting specimens. He returned to England with this material and created more detailed drawings. His next visit to America 1722-1726 allowed for more detailed research. Upon his return to England he created his monumental and beautiful work "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and Bahama Islands", which was published in London in two folio volumes of 11 parts each consisting of 20 plates...

"The Meeting of Her Majesty's Stag Hounds on Ascot Heath" is a large colorful mezzotint engraving of an extensive British hunting scene. It was created by Sir Francis Grant...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Mango Humming bird, 1. 2. Males. 3. Female. Bignonia grandifolia", No. 51, Plate 251 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by JT Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1870-1871. The lithograph depicts an adult male hummingbird, labelled 1, in flight above a beautiful flowering plant, a Chinese Trumpet-vine. Another male, labeled 2, is perched on a flower on the left and a female, labelled 3, is perched on a flower on the right. This hand-colored Audubon bird octavo-size lithograph sheet measures 10.25" high by 6.75" wide. It is in excellent condition. The original text pages, 185-186, from Audubon's 19th century publication are included. John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a naturalist and artist. He was initially unsuccessful financially prior to the publication of his famous work “The Birds of America”, spending time in debtor’s prison, once stabbing a disgruntled investor in self-defense. However, his obsession with birds and art motivated him to persist in his goal of documenting every bird in America via his watercolor paintings and publishing his works for all to enjoy. Audubon's first illustrations were published in a large elephant folio size. Due to their expense they were purchased in rather small numbers by the wealthy. To reach a larger audience, Audubon, with the help of his sons and J. T. Bowen, published a smaller octavo sized lithograph version, which were much more affordable. With the success of his bird projects, Audubon then turned his attention to four-legged animals. He explored the Missouri River in 1843 sketching the four-legged animals he encountered in their natural setting. His expedition covered some of the same regions recently explored by Lewis and Clark, traveling from present day Alaska to Mexico. Audubon realized that this was an opportunity to document these animals in the still relatively pristine American wilderness, before man encroached on their environment. Between 1845 and 1848, Audubon and his sons John Woodhouse Audubon...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "The Cougar, Male", No. 20, Plate XCVI, 96 from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America". It was d...

This is a framed 18th century folio-sized colored stipple engraving with hand-finishing entitled "Le Mangabey, Buff, Simia Aethiops, Linne", which was drawn and engraved by Jean Baptiste Audebert...

An original rare and extremely collectible first edition John James Audubon hand colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Black-throated Diver", No. 96, Plate 477, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1840-1844. It depicts three Black-throated Divers; an adult male (1), an adult female (2) and a young Diver (3). The male sits on the bank, while the young Diver floats in the water and the female watches...

This is a framed hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Campylopterus Hyperythrus" (Rufous-breasted Sabrewing Hummingbird), Plate 51 from John Gould's "A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds", published in London in 1850. The print, which was drawn by Gould and Henry Richter and lithographed by Hullmandel and Walton, depicts three hummingbirds displaying multiple colors, including, green, blue and shades of brown highlights among burgundy and cream colored flowers. The hummingbirds are highlighted by bright iridescent metallic paint. This beautiful Gould hummingbird...

Eyvind Earle (1916-2000) Three Horses (Version 2), 1987 Serigraph in colors on black wove paper Edition 46/100 Signed and editioned in blue pencil along lower edge 21 1/4 x 40- /8 in...

This is an original framed 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Diphogena Aurora" (Bolivian Rainbow Hummingbirds) by John Gould, from his "Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Hummingbirds", published in London in 1853. The print depicts two Bolivian Rainbow hummingbirds feeding on the nectar of small flowers on a branch. This striking framed Gould hand-colored lithograph is presented in a antiqued gold frame, a gold-colored fillet, and a light tan French mat, embellished with a mint-colored broad band. The frame measures 32" high, 25.5" wide and 1.25" thick. The hand-coloring is enhanced by the use of gum-arabic paint on the hummingbirds heads and necks, giving them an iridescent appearance. The descriptive text page from Gould's original publication is included. It is affixed to the back of the frame in a clear sleeve. The piece is in excellent condition. There are several other unframed Gould bird lithographs available on our 1stdibs and InCollect storefronts. Two or more of these striking lithographs would make an attractive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of a set depending on the number. These additional Gould hummingbirds may be viewed by typing Timeless Intaglio in the 1stdibs or InCollect search field to be taken to our storefront. John Gould (1804-1881]) was an English ornithologist and artist. He, like his American contemporary John James Audubon, published a number of books on birds in the mid 19th century, illustrated by hand-colored lithographs. His wife and fellow artist, Elizabeth Gould, and several other artists including Edward Lear and Henry Constantine Richter produced lithographs for his various publications. He has been considered the father of bird study in Australia and the Gould League in Australia is named after him. Charles Darwin referenced Gould’s work in his book, "On the Origin of Species" and Gould named a bird after Darwin; "Darwin's finches". Gould began his career in London as a taxidermist, but in 1827 became the first curator and conservator at the museum of the Zoological Society of London. In this position naturalists brought him collections of birds from all over the world. He began creating drawings and eventually hand-colored lithographs with his wife and Edward Lear, which were the basis for his first publications. Darwin brought him specimens from the Galapagos Islands, including 12 species of finches which had never been described. In 1838, Gould and his wife travelled to Australia and their work led to the seven volume publication of “The Birds of Australia”. Gould had a fascination for hummingbirds and collected specimens of 320 varieties before ever seeing a live hummingbird on a trip to the United States in 1857. He eventually published “A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds". Other large publications include: "The Birds of Europe"," A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans”, “A Synopsis of the Birds of Australia, and the Adjacent Islands”, “A Monograph of the Odontophorinae, or Partridges of America”, “The Birds of Asia”, “The Birds of Great Britain” and "The Birds of New Guinea and the Adjacent Papuan Islands, including many new species recently discovered in Australia". John Gould (1804-1881) was a British ornithologist and illustrator who is best known for his monumental work, "The Birds of Europe," published between 1832 and 1837. Gould was born in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, and began working as a taxidermist and natural history dealer in London in the 1820s. In 1827, Gould was appointed the first curator and preserver of birds at the Zoological Society of London, where he began to build his collection of specimens and began to study the birds of the world. He published his first monograph, "A Century of Birds from the Himalaya Mountains," in 1831, which included 80 plates of Himalayan birds. Gould continued to publish numerous volumes on the birds of the world throughout his life, including "The Birds of Australia" (1840-1848) and "The Birds of Great Britain" (1862-1873). His works were highly regarded for their accuracy and detail, and he was one of the most prominent ornithologists of his time. In addition to his work as an ornithologist, Gould was also a successful businessman, and he used his profits to fund expeditions and to support the scientific community. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1843, and he was awarded the Royal Medal...

David Gilhooly (1943-2013) How To Make Jackson Pollock's Dog, 1988 Lithograph on BFK Rives Paper Edition 47/60 Signed and dated in pencil lower right Published by Magnolia Edition (M...

Salvador Dali: 1904-1989. One of the most famous artist of the 20th century. A master surrealist, whose auction prices are well into the millions. This image of a nude on a rhinocero...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Trumpeter Swan, Adult", No. 77, Plate 382 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lit...

This is a beautiful and vibrant hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Parus Major (Great Tit birds) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain ", published ...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored 1st octavo edition lithograph entitled "Whooping Crane, Male, adult", No. 63, Plate 313 from Audubon...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Reddish Egret, 1. Adult, Full Spring Plumage 2. Young in Full Spring Plumage Two Years Old", No. 75, Plate 371 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1870-1871. It depicts an adult reddish egret standing in the water with leg up, looking to the left at a young white egret standing on land looking to the right at the adult bird. A beautiful landscape is depicted. This original hand-colored Audubon egret...

This is a beautiful hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Muscicapa Collarus" (White-collared Flycatcher birds) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain",...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Yellow Crowned Night Heron, 1. Adult Male Spring Plumage, 2. Young in October", No. 73, Plate 364 from Audubo...

This is a remarkable hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Euplocomus Vielloti" (Viellot's Crested Fireback) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Asia", publi...

This is a framed original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled “Pernis Apivorus (The Honey Buzzard) by John Gould, plate 6 in volume 1 of his "Birds of Great Britain", published in London between 1862 and 1873. The print depicts an adult Honey Buzzard perched on a branch of a leafy tree in the foreground and three others in the background. The bird in the foreground has an insect in its beak and others are in flight on the right This striking framed Gould...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Golden Eagle", No. 3, Plate 12 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by JT Bowe...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Washington Sea Eagle", No. 3, Plate 13, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1856-1871. It depicts an adult male sea eagle perched on a rock. This is an excerpt from Audubon's own description of this magnificent eagle, which includes how he came up with the name "Washington Sea Eagle": "The name which I have chosen for this new species of Eagle, “The Bird of Washington,” may, by some, be considered as preposterous and unfit; but as it is indisputably the noblest bird of its genus that has yet been discovered in the United States, I trust I shall be allowed to honour it with the name of one yet nobler, who was the saviour of his country, and whose name will ever be dear, to it. To those who may be curious to know my reasons, I can only say, that, as the new world gave me birth and liberty, the great man who ensured its independence is next to my heart. He had a nobility of mind, and a generosity of soul, such as are seldom possessed. He was brave, so is the Eagle; like it, too, he was the terror of his foes; and his fame, extending from pole to pole, resembles the majestic soarings of the mightiest of the feathered tribe...

This is an original rare and extremely collectible 1st royal octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "American Swan", No. 77, Plate 384, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1840-1844. It depicts an adult white American Swan swimming in a body of water. Plants with yellow flowers are in the foreground and hills are in the background. This original rare first edition hand-colored Audubon bird lithograph has a mildly wavy lower edge of the paper where it was previously bound. It is otherwise in excellent condition. The sheet measures 6.63" x 10.13". The original text pages 226-234 are included. John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a naturalist and artist. He was initially unsuccessful financially prior to the publication of his famous work “The Birds of America”, spending time in debtor’s prison, once stabbing a disgruntled investor in self-defense. However, his obsession with birds and art motivated him to persist in his goal of documenting every bird in America via his watercolor paintings and publishing his works for all to enjoy. Audubon's first illustrations were published in a large elephant folio size. Due to their expense they were purchased in rather small numbers by the wealthy. To reach a larger audience, Audubon, with the help of his sons and J. T. Bowen, published a smaller octavo sized lithograph version, which were much more affordable. With the success of his bird projects, Audubon then turned his attention to four-legged animals. He explored the Missouri River in 1843 sketching the four-legged animals he encountered in their natural setting. His expedition covered some of the same regions recently explored by Lewis and Clark, traveling from present day Alaska to Mexico. Audubon realized that this was an opportunity to document these animals in the still relatively pristine American wilderness, before man encroached on their environment. Between 1845 and 1848, Audubon and his sons John Woodhouse Audubon and Victor Gifford Audubon produced a set of elephant folio sized lithographs that were primarily engraved and hand colored by J. T. Bowen in Philadelphia. The publication, which included text descriptions of the animals was published 3 years before Audubon died. As with the birds, this was followed by a three-volume set of 155 octavo-sized plates entitled “The Quadrupeds of North America” completed and published by Audubon’s sons, John, Jr. and Victor. Audubon prints continue to be popular and a wise investment. The double elephant folio set...

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Virginian Rail, 1. Male, 2. Female, 3. Young", No. 63, Plate 311 from Audubon's "Birds of Americ...

This is a framed original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled “Strix Flammea” (Barn Owl) by John Gould, from his "Birds of Great Britain", published in London between 1862 and 1873. The print depicts an adult Barn Owl perched on a log its three baby owls to the left. Another adult owl in the background on the right, presumably a male, watches over his family. There are leaves on the right contributing to this pleasant landscape composition. This striking framed Gould...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Virginian Opossum", No. 14, Plate LXVI, 66, from John James Audubon's Quadrupeds of North America, drawn on s...

This is an original 19th century Currier and Ives hand-colored lithograph entitled "The Celebrated Trotting Team Edward and Swiveller, Owned by Frank Work Esq. N.Y.: Winning their ma...

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand colored lithograph entitled "Raccoon", No. 13, Plate LXI, 61, from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America", printed and color...

This is an original rare and extremely collectible first octavo edition John James Audubon hand colored lithograph entitled "Brown Pelican, Young First Winter", No. 85, Plate 424, fr...

This is a beautiful hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Muscicapa Atricapilla" (Pied Flycatcher) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain ", published i...

This is a hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Gallinago Major" (Great Snipe) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain", published in London in 1862-1879...

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand-colored quadruped lithograph entitled "Caribou or American Rein Deer", No. 26, Plate CXXVI, from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of Nor...

An original rare and extremely collectible first octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "White-headed Sea Eagle or Bald Eagle", No. 3, Plate ...

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand colored lithograph entitled "Townsend's Rocky Mountain Hare", No. 1, Plate III, from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America",...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal first octavo edition lithograph entitled "Red-cockaded Woodpecker, 1. 2. Male, 3. Female", No. 5...

This is a framed original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled “Bubo Maximus" (Great Horned or Eagle Owl) by John Gould, from the supplement to his "Birds of Great Britain", published in London between 1862 and 1873. The print depicts an adult Eagle Owl about to feed her brood of babies who are in the their nest. A another adult (possibly the male) is seen in the distant background in the upper right. This striking framed Gould...

This is a hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Muscipeta Incei" ( (Ince's Paradise Flycatcher)) by John Gould, which is plate 19 from his monograph "The Birds of Great Brita...

This very rare, first edition, folio hand-colored woodcut engraving of a bird of prey is plate 219 from Ulisse Aldrovandi’s 'Opera Omnia', published ...

This is an original John James Audubon hand colored lithograph entitled "Severn River Flying Squirrel & Rocky Mountain Flying Squirrel", No. 29, P...

This is a hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Otidiphaps Nobilis" (Pheasant Pigeon) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Asia", published in London in 1862-1879. The print, which was drawn by Gould and H. C. Richter and lithographed by Walter, depicts two Pheasant Pigeon birds...

This is an original hand-colored folio edition John James Audubon engraving entitled "Esquimaux Curlew", Folio, Pl. CCVIII", No. 42, Plate 208, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was engraved, printed and colored in London by Robert Havell, Jr. in 1834. It depicts a male and a female Esquimaux Curlew birds...

This is a rare 18th Century hand-colored copperplate engraving entitled "Der Storch Ciconia" (White Stork) by Johann Leonhard Frisch is plate 19...

This is a hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Nycticorax Griseus" (Night-Heron) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain...

This is a hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Pitta Atricapilla (Black-headed Pitta) by John Gould, which is plate 19 from his monograph "The Birds of Asia", published in L...

This is a rare 18th Century hand-colored copperplate engraving entitled "Ciconia Nigra" (Black Stork) by Johann Leonhard Frisch is plate 197 fro...

This artwork "Wildcat" c.1990 is an offset lithograph by noted animals wildlife artist Jacquie Marie Vaux. It is hand signed and numbered from the edition of 750 in pencil by the art...

This artwork titled "Soaking Up" c.1970 is an original lithograph on Wove paper by noted western artist Tom (Thomas) Ryan, 1922-2011. It is hand signed, titled and numbered 68/100 in pencil by the artist. The artwork (image) size is 12.25 x 17.35 inches, sheet size is 17.5 x 21.65 inches. It is in excellent condition About the artist: Tom Ryan was born Jan. 12, 1922, in Springfield, Ill., to William Martin Ryan — whose family immigrated to Illinois from Ireland in the 1880s — and Sarah Helen Behrens, whose ancestry predates the Revolutionary War. They had nine children — six boys and three girls. He began drawing before he went to school. "I was 4 years old and drawing airplanes, and an older brother was helping me," Ryan told the Reporter-Telegram in a 2002 interview at the Haley Library's going away party held in his honor. "Those were my first art lessons." He did not decide to be an artist until after his service in World War II. While in the U.S. Navy during the war, he "made quite a bit of money" drawing portraits of his shipmates and other servicemen. After being discharged in 1945, he picked up a Life magazine that carried an article about N.C. Wyeth. "I read the article, and I liked what I read, and I loved the pictures reproduced from his paintings in the article," Ryan said in 2002. "I decided then and there to be an artist." Following his graduation from the American Academy of Art, an education made possible through the GI Bill, he returned to Springfield where he married Jacqueline "Jacquie" Harvey, daughter of a local doctor. She died in 1998. The Ryans moved to New York City where he continued his studies at the Art Students League. During his second year at the Art Students League, he won a contest. His winning painting became the cover for Western writer Ernest Haycox's novel The Outlaw. "Every month after that I also received an assignment from this publisher, and they would be Western novels," Ryan said in 2002. "So that's what I did for the next six or seven years. Then I started exhibiting at the Latendorf Gallery on Madison Avenue. What I sold mainly were the book covers. They would be published and I would get paid by the publisher, and I'd take them to the gallery, and I'd get paid again." Ryan began making trips west in the late 1950s. He would stay three or four months painting, sketching and photographing scenes he'd need later. At that time, his works centered around historical events and places. "I particularly liked to do some of the trail drive things that I did, like the old longhorns," Ryan said in 2002. In the early 1960s, a work by Norman Rockwell and one by Ryan appeared in the same catalog. Rockwell, who was doing the Boy Scouts calendars for Brown and Bigelow, the premiere calendar publishing company in the United States, told the calendar company about Ryan. "The art director gave me a call and asked if I'd like to do a contemporary cowboy...

Arturo Rivera La jineta (The Jockey) Serigraph 33.46 x 29.52 in Edition 96 of 100 Serigraph by Mexican artist Arturo Rivera. Edition 96 of 100. Certificate of authenticity included....

This is a framed original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled “Cacatua Ophthalimica” (Blue-eyed Cockatoo) by John Gould, from the supplement to his "Birds of Australia", published in London between 1851 and 1869. The print depicts a large blue-eyed cockatoo perched on a branch, with its head turned to the left. The scene is enhanced with leaves and sky and clouds in the background. This striking framed Gould...

This is an original first octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "American Oyster Catcher, Male", No. 65, Plate...

This is an original framed 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Ramphomicron vulcani" (Southern Thorn-Bill Hummingbirds) by John Gould, Pl. 186 from his "Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Hummingbirds", published in London in 1853. The print depicts two Southern Thorn-Bill hummingbirds sitting on branches of a flowering plant. This striking framed Gould hand-colored lithograph is presented in a antiqued gold frame, a gold-colored fillet, and a light tan French mat, embellished with a mint-colored broad band. The frame measures 32" high, 25.5" wide and 1.25" thick. The hand-coloring is enhanced by the use of gum-arabic paint...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Buff-breasted Merganser Goosander, 1. Male 2. Female", No. 83, Plate 411 from Audubon's "Birds of America, li...

This is a framed original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled “Ciconia Alba” (A family of storks) by John Gould, from the supplement to his "Birds of Great Brit...

This is a hand-colored antique engraving depicting the natural history of the Tortoise-shell Butterfly and Privet Hawk Moth, which is plate 2 from Moses Harris' publication "The Aure...

This very rare, first edition, folio hand-colored engraving of an eagle is plate 215 from Ulisse Aldrovandi’s 'Opera Omnia', published between 1599 a...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal first octavo edition lithograph entitled "Red-shafted Woodpecker, 1. Male, 2. Female", No. 55, P...

This is a hand-colored antique engraving depicting the natural history of the the Brown Hairstreak Butterfly, the Larke Skipper Butterfly, the Small Skipper Butterfly, the Scarce Mar...

This is an original 19th century 1st octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "American Bittern, 1. Male 2. Female", No. 73, Plate 365 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1840-1844. It depicts male and female American Bittern birds standing on the ground, each looking in opposite directions. There is high grass in the background. This original 1st octavo edition hand-colored Audubon American Bittern lithograph is in excellent condition, other than a few tiny spots, which appear most likely inclusions related to the paper manufacture. The sheet measures 6.5" high by 10.25" wide. The original text pages, 94-98, from Audubon's 19th century publication are included with the lithograph. John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a naturalist and artist. He was initially unsuccessful financially prior to the publication of his famous work “The Birds of America”, spending time in debtor’s prison, once stabbing a disgruntled investor in self-defense. However, his obsession with birds and art motivated him to persist in his goal of documenting every bird in America via his watercolor paintings and publishing his works for all to enjoy. Audubon's first illustrations were published in a large elephant folio...