Audubon’s Aviay: the Original Watercolours for The Birds of America

John James Audubon is surely a name known to all birders. His stunning watercolours, engraved and published as The Birds of America, are a standard by which all bird art can be measured and remain one of the most important contributions to fields of ornithology, art and natural history. A ‘double-elephant’ edition of the title became the world’s most expensive book sold at auction in January 2012, going for $7,922,500 (£5,250,755) at Christie’s in New York.

This of course puts Audubon’s art way beyond 99.9 per cent of the world’s population. Until now. Audubon’s Aviary, a huge coffee table tome, represents almost as big an undertaking as the artist’s original aim to capture images of all the birds of America. All 435 of the artist’s preparatory watercolours have been faithfully reproduced in full colour.

The book opens with a sketch of Audubon’s life. Illustrated with historical photos and drawings, this precis is packed with information; for example, this most American of icons was actually born in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (today’s Haiti). He was sent to the United States in 1803 as an 18-year-old to prevent his conscription into Napoleon’s army. There is also an essay on Audubon’s artistic practices.

But this gorgeous book is really all about the images. Printed on high-quality photographic paper, the reproductions are stunning, with colours and detail revealed in glorious technicolour. Each image is accompanied by Audubon’s own text as well as insightful commentry from the editor, such as Audubon’s description of Great Horned Owl’s mating ritual.

The book is a joy to simply flick through, pausing to study an image that catches ones eye. Reading the text as well is sure to bring many hours of pleasure.

Plate 60 Northern Bobwhite and Red-shouldered Hawk.