Audubon 1st Ed. Octavo BARN OWL Plate 34
Item History & Price
Golden Eagle Gallery is pleased to offer Audubon's magnificent masterpiece portrait of the
Barn Owl
A rare original John James Audubon lithograph, this iconic night-time portrait of a pair of Barn Owls is from Volume I of the original Royal Octavo Edition of "The Birds of America".
This lithograph was drawn on stone by Robert Trembly, (whose initials "R.T." appear beneath the cente...r of the image), printed and hand-colored by America's finest 19th century fine art print maker, J.T. Bowen's "Lithographic Establishment" in Philadelphia, and published in a limited edition of 1, 050 copies by J.B. Chevalier, also of Philadelphia.
This piece of early 19th century fine art is 180 years old and is Plate 34 from the 1st Royal Octavo Edition of The Birds of America. It was part of the original subscription edition published in 1839.
This antique stone lithograph with original hand coloring is one of the finest compositions of Audubon's entire "Birds of America", and is highly sought after by serious collectors of natural history art. This portrait is based on the priceless original painting by Audubon now in the collection of the New York Historical Society in New York City at the corner of 77th Street and Central Park West on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, that painting was also used as the basis for Plate 171 of the Havell Edition of The Birds of America published in London circa 1833.
This exquisite work displays a pair of Barn Owls perched in a tree. The upper figure's ivory colored outstretched wing contrasts with the dark night sky. The lower figure approaches to share the prey. This is one of the very few night scenes in all of Audubon's oeuvre.
This rare antique lithograph is protected with an acid free all-cotton-rag museum quality custom mat, hinged with acid free conservation tape. Excellent condition, some age toning and soft creasing along edges of the sheet as appropriate for a work approaching two centuries in age. Original binding edge present along right side of the sheet. Sheet measures 10 3/8 in. x 6 1/2 in., with ample margins.
This piece of early 19th century fine art would be an ideal graduation gift.
Audubon was influenced by, and yet transformed the tradition of natural history art illustration, by placing his subjects in their natural setting and in extraordinarily life-like positions.
His predecessors and successors notably include Mark Catesby, George Edwards, Alexander Wilson, John & Elizabeth Gould, Prideaux John Selby, Edward Lear, Cornelius Nozeman, Eleazar Albin, Xaverio Manetti, Titian Ramsay Peale, Daniel Giraud Elliot, Walton Ford and others n