John James Audubon
This image of the leading naturalist best known for "The Birds of America" (1827–38) appeared in an 1850 volume of lithographs based on daguerrotypes by Mathew B. Brady. The preface declares that the "gallery" was intended to present "American citizens, who ... have rendered the most signal services to the Nation, since the death of the Father of the Republic...comprehensive in its spirit...it is hoped that it may ... bind the Union still more firmly together." Five years before, Brady had determined to take images of leading Americans of his day to preserve their appearance for posterity. Unfortunately, prohibitive costs limited his project to a single volume containing twelve portraits.
Artwork Details
- Title: John James Audubon
- Series/Portfolio: Gallery of Illustrious Americans
- Artist: Francis d' Avignon (French, 1813–1861, active America 1840–60)
- Photographer: After Mathew B. Brady (American, born Ireland, 1823?–1896 New York)
- Printer: D'Avignon's Press (New York, NY)
- Publisher: Brady, D'Avignon and Company (New York, NY)
- Sitter: John James Audubon (American (born Haiti), Les Cayes (Saint-Domingue) 1785–1851 New York)
- Date: 1850
- Medium: Lithograph after a daguerreotype
- Dimensions: oval image: 11 3/16 x 9 5/8 in. (28.4 x 24.4 cm)
stone: 13 15/16 x 10 3/8 in. (35.4 x 26.4 cm)
sheet: 18 3/4 x 13 3/8 in. (47.7 x 33.9 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Bequest of Charles Allen Munn, 1924
- Object Number: 24.90.576
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.