Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)
1828
About this artwork
This hand-colored engraving by Robert Havell Jr. after a drawing by John James Audubon depicts the Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) at various life stages, alongside its nest, perched on the thorny branches of a honey locust tree. It was published in London in 1826 as part of Audubon's monumental work, "The Birds of America".
Did you know?
John James Audubon's "The Birds of America" is celebrated as a landmark achievement in ornithological art, featuring stunning life-sized illustrations of North American birds. The project was incredibly ambitious, requiring Audubon to travel extensively and meticulously document various species. The collaboration with skilled engravers like Robert Havell Jr. was essential to transform Audubon's detailed watercolors into these exquisite, hand-colored prints, preserving both scientific accuracy and artistic beauty for posterity.
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Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)
John James Audubon, 1828
