Plate 11. Bird of Washington 

John James Audubon rendered this “Bird of Washington” with watercolor, pencil, and pastel. Here we see the regal eagle, a symbol laden with meanings of power and freedom. The eagle's symbolism dates back to ancient civilizations, where it represented deities and imperial authority. In Rome, the eagle was associated with Jupiter, king of the gods, embodying strength and victory. This potent image resurfaces in modern heraldry, most notably in the United States, where it symbolizes liberty and national pride. Consider, however, the eagle's transformation through time. Initially a divine emblem, it evolved into a secular icon, a mirror reflecting humanity’s aspirations for dominance and sovereignty. The commanding presence of the eagle evokes deep, subconscious feelings of awe and respect, channeling a primal connection to power that has persisted across millennia. The image of the eagle is not merely representational; it is a recurring motif in our collective psyche. It embodies our enduring quest for transcendence, continuously reinvented across epochs.