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My illustration of John James Audubon showing his Snowy Egret to Pierre-Joseph Redouté
from my book REDOUTE, The Man Who Painted Flowers
(please note, I handpainted/copied both artists' artwork. No photoshop here)
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April 26, 2012, the 227th birthday of John James Audubon
Born in Haiti on his French father's sugar plantation.
Moving to France in early childhood.
Fascinated by nature, particularly birds.
After the upheaval of the French Revolution and
the Napoleonic Wars, his father sent 18 year old
Audubon to America. Living on land his father
owned near Philadelphia, Audubon spent his days
hunting and fishing and drawing from nature,
particularly birds.
When Audubon married and had children,
he tried unsuccessfully to support them.
So his wife, became a teacher and the
breadwinner.
Meanwhile Audubon decided he would like
to draw and paint all the birds of America,
life size and in their natural environment.
All in one volume. Some of the life size birds
were huge.
Audubon took his gun, paintbox and
an assistant. Beginning an epic journey
that would last 14 years
Along the way, he traded drawings for goods,
took and gave painting lessons, in order
to raise money. Freezing in the north, roasting
in the south. Bugs, danger and disease.
Still Audubon kept going.
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| John James Audubon |
Nearly finished, he traveled to Europe seeking
subscribers. In those days, publishing such a book
depended on funds raised from wealthy
patrons desiring a copy of the finished book.
Among the important and enthusiastic supporters
he met was Pierre-Joseph Redouté, the great Belgian
flower painter to Marie Antoinette, Empress Josephine.
Between his exquisite paintings and colorful buckskin clothes,
Audubon made a powerful impression and won subscribers.
Joyeux anniversaire, M. Audubon!
Interested readers can find a copy of John James Audobon's
Bird's of America as well as Redoute's Les Roses and Les Lilacees
among other treasures at The Academy of Natural Sciences library
in Philadelphia.
