Plate 133 Black-poll Warbler by John James Audubon

Plate 133 Black-poll Warbler 

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drawing, tempera, print, watercolor

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drawing

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tempera

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print

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landscape

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watercolor

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romanticism

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watercolour illustration

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botany

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botanical art

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realism

Copyright: Public domain

John James Audubon created "Plate 133 Black-poll Warbler", a lithograph, dominated by the crisp detail of three birds perched amid lush foliage. The birds, meticulously rendered, display a striking contrast between their dark plumage and the pale backdrop. The plant's leaves and ripe berries create a dense yet organized cluster, inviting the eye to explore the intricate composition. Audubon arranges the birds to guide our sightline, each pose carefully considered to show the species from different angles, effectively serving an educational purpose. He uses contrasting patterns and textures to delineate each bird. This strategy can also be seen in how Audubon used stark white space surrounding the cluster of natural elements. This draws our focus to the details he wishes to communicate. Note how each leaf and berry is uniquely rendered, their placement and colour variation creating an overall pattern. This attention to detail and formal structure invites us to consider Audubon’s work as more than mere illustration. Rather, he offers a studied reflection on nature’s forms and textures. His work remains an interesting point of interpretation that combines science, aesthetics, and the philosophy of nature.

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