Plate 127 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 

John James Audubon made this print of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, using etching, engraving, and aquatint, all processes capable of capturing great detail. Look closely and you can almost feel the texture of the bird's feathers. Audubon used these techniques to replicate his original watercolors, which were in turn based on careful observation. But there’s another layer here. This print represents not only the birds themselves, but Audubon’s knowledge of taxidermy. He posed the dead birds in lifelike positions to capture their anatomy and plumage precisely. The amount of work involved in this production is considerable; making each original watercolor, transferring the image to a copper plate, and printing the final image. Ultimately, Audubon’s prints underscore the complex relationship between art, science, and commerce in the 19th century. They represent a desire to both understand and exploit the natural world, challenging distinctions between scientific illustration and fine art.