John James Audubon
John James Audubon
John James Audubonwas an American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats. His major work, a color-plate book entitled The Birds of America, is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. Audubon identified 25 new species...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth26 April 1785
CountryUnited States of America
To have been torn from the study would have been as death; my time was entirely occupied with art.
The nature of the place...whether high or low, moist or dry, whether sloping north or south, or bearing tall trees or low shrubs...generally gives hint as to its inhabitants.
The worse my drawings were, the more beautiful did the originals appear.
The Fur Company may be called the exterminating medium of these wild and almost uninhabitable regions, which cupidity or the love of money alone would induce man to venture into. Where can I now go and find nature undisturbed?
But the moment a bird was dead, no matter how beautiful it had been in life, the pleasure of possession became blunted for me.
Mathematics was hard, dull work. Geography pleased me more. For dancing I was quite enthusiastic.
As I grew up I was fervently desirous of becoming acquainted with Nature.
My drawings at first were made altogether in watercolors, but they wanted softness and a great deal of finish.
Thank God it has rained all day. I say thank God, though rain is no rarity, because it is the duty of every man to be thankful for whatever happens by the will of the Omnipotent Creator; yet it was not so agreeable to any of my party as a fine day would have been.
Great men show politeness in a particular way; a smile suffices to assure you that you are welcome, and keep about their avocations as if you were a member of the family.
. . .nature indifferently copied is far superior to the best idealities.
My heart swelled with uncontrollable delight...
I never for a day gave up listening to the songs of our birds, or watching their peculiar habits, or delineating them in the best way I could.
Look at that mallard as he floats on the lake; see his elevated head glittering with emerald green, his amber eyes glancing in the light! Even at this distance, he has marked you, and suspects that you bear no goodwill towards him, for he sees that you have a gun, and he has many a time been frightened by its report, or that of some other. The wary bird draws his feet under his body, springs upon then, opens his wings, and with loud quacks bids you farewell.