Today’s release from John James Audubon reminds us of a few of our favorite fall things: the changing leaves, the gorgeous earth-toned palette, and the warm coziness of home (wherever home may be). Curl up with Plate 107: Canada Jay and Plate 132: Three-toed Woodpecker.
Plate 107: Canada Jay by John James Audubon
10"x8" ($24) | 14"x11" ($60) | 20"x16" ($240) | 30"x24" ($800)
Though John James Audubon’s beautiful bird portraits are what gained him fame, we think his scenery deserves to be celebrated. As soon as we laid eyes on Plate 107: Canada Jay and Plate 132: Three-toed Woodpecker, we found ourselves in the mood for oversized sweaters and wandering nature walks. Audubon’s ability to depict the full gradient of grays in a feather is applied here to the delicately changing colors of autumn leaves. The birds by themselves are beautiful, but when placed in their natural homes, they truly shine.
What makes the paintings even more impressive is that Audubon painted the scenery from memory. First, he arranged dead birds using wires, trying to capture lifelike poses. Once he had the birds in place, he devised little worlds for them to exist within based on his observations of those birds in the wild. Though these paintings were intended as scientific illustrations for his masterpiece, Birds of America, it’s easy to see how they could be construed as a love letter to the beauty of birds and to North American nature.
Plate 132: Three-toed Woodpecker by John James Audubon
10"x8" ($24) | 14"x11" ($60) | 20"x16" ($240) | 30"x24" ($800)
Audubon traversed more of the North American continent than nearly anyone else alive, so its nature must have felt like home. In his time, he came to exemplify American wilderness and later became known as a founding father of American art. It’s easy to see how elegantly nature and art intersect in his plates. Audubon creates ideal seasonal scenery: leaves at the cusp of their ultimate autumnal glory, spring flowers in full bloom, the bright colors of a hot summer. Just looking at Plate 107: Canada Jay and Plate 132: Three-toed Woodpecker gets us in a fall mindset (even if the weather outside isn’t quite there yet). Get your fall fix quick! You can freshen up your walls right away—our custom framing is 20% off through October 19th at 11:59 PM with code EARLYBIRD.
So go forth and fall! Pick apples, carve pumpkins, and enjoy the autumnal scenery of Plate 107: Canada Jay and Plate 132: Three-toed Woodpecker, and get these brand new prints with our gorgeous custom framing at 20% off.
With art for everyone,
Team 20x200
