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This double-elephant folio Bien edition plate features the Pileated Woodpecker, with a female at the top, a male in the center, and two juvenile specimens at the bottom. They are perched upon a dead, timeworn tree covered with lichen, with a Fox Grape vine winding around it. The painting on which this is based is believed to have been created in Pennsylvania around 1829, following Audubon's return from his initial voyage to England.
The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a striking and distinctive bird species native to North America. Recognized for its bold appearance and large size, the Pileated Woodpecker is one of the largest woodpeckers in the region, measuring up to 19 inches in length with a wingspan of around 30 inches. Its striking features include a crimson crest on its head, black plumage, and white stripes on its neck and face. These birds are often found in mature forests, where they forage for their primary diet of insects, especially carpenter ants and wood-boring beetles, by excavating rectangular holes in tree trunks. Their distinct calls, which resemble a series of loud, cackling laughs, are commonly heard echoing through the woods.
Fox grapes, scientifically known as Vitis labrusca, are a wild grapevine native to North America. These grapes are known for their small to medium-sized clusters of round, purple-black or blue-black berries with a distinct and often musky flavor. Fox grapes have been used for centuries in traditional Native American foods and later cultivated for making jams, jellies, and wines. While they are smaller and more tart compared to European wine grapes, fox grapes have a unique and robust taste.
This image appeared as Plate CXI in the Havell double-elephant folio first edition.
Birds of America: The Bien Edition
The legacy of John James Audubon's Birds of America is one of unbridled passion for ornithology and artistry, a blend of meticulous observation with artistic flair. While the original "Double Elephant Folio" edition is justifiably celebrated for its monumental contribution to ornithology and fine art printing, it is the lesser-known Bien Edition that stands as an equally impressive testament to the evolution of printing technology and the continued appreciation of Audubon’s work.
John James Audubon (1785-1851), born Jean-Jacques Rabin in Haiti on April 26, 1785, was a Franco-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter, celebrated for his detailed illustrations of North American birds in their natural habitats. His major work, a color-plate book titled The Birds of America, is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever produced.
Audubon's early years were shaped by tumultuous events. Born out of wedlock in the French Caribbean colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) to a Creole mother and a French sea captain, he was smuggled to Nantes, France, during a slave rebellion. There, he was adopted by his father and stepmother and raised as their own. His childhood in France was filled with outdoor adventures and initial forays into drawing.
In 1803, to avoid conscription into Napoleon's army, he was sent to America, where he managed one of his father's estates near Philadelphia. This move further kindled his profound interest in the wildlife of the New World. Despite a few failed business ventures and challenges, Audubon remained committed to his passion for nature and art.
His dream to document all of the birds of America began to take form in the 1810s. Travelling through America's wilderness, Audubon observed, hunted, and painted birds. He developed a particular technique that involved wiring freshly killed birds into a natural pose on a board. This innovative method combined with his keen observation allowed him to create more lifelike illustrations than many of his contemporaries.
Failing to secure American subscribers or a publisher for his extensive collection, Audubon traveled to the United Kingdom in 1826. There, The Birds of America was met with critical acclaim. Between 1827 and 1838, this work was published in sections, comprising 435 hand-colored, life-sized prints made from engraved plates.
Audubon followed this success with a companion work, Ornithological Biography, which provided detailed narratives about each species. His later work included studies of American mammals, and he became one of the founding members of the New-York Historical Society.
Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life, including financial hardships and criticism from some peers, Audubon's dedication to his work resulted in an invaluable contribution to ornithology and American art. He died on January 27, 1851, in New York City. Today, his legacy continues, notably through the National Audubon Society, which promotes conservation and appreciation of birds and their habitats.
