John James Audubon

John James Audubon is perhaps the most renowned wildlife artist in America, universally acknowledged by both art and natural history museums. His first publication, The Birds of America, was a 12-year enterprise that exponentially increased the knowledge of American ornithological and natural history upon its publication in 1838.

Audubon immediately embarked on a companion project for mammals, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. The project consumed him from 1830 until his death in 1851. The folio edition was first published 1845 – 1846; the octavo edition, with five additional plates, was published in 1854. Of the approximately 150 paintings executed for this work, nearly half were completed by the artist's son, John Woodhouse Audubon (1812 – 1862).

John James Audubon's love of wild places and his fascination of living things is memorialized by the National Audubon Society, along with several state Audubon Societies. These organizations are founded in Audubon's memory to preserve and protect the ecosystems and wildlife brought to life by his exceptional art.