In the Footsteps of Audubon - by Denis Clavreul (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An artist's uniquely personal journey across Audubon's AmericaIn the nineteenth century, ornithologist and painter John James Audubon set out to create a complete pictorial record of North American birdlife, traveling from Louisiana and the Florida Keys to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the cliffs of the Yellowstone River. The resulting work, The Birds of America, stands as a monumental achievement in American art. Over a period of sixteen years, recording his own journey in journals and hundreds of original paintings, renowned French watercolorist Denis Clavreul followed in the legendary naturalist's footsteps.In the Footsteps of Audubon brings together some 250 of Clavreul's stunning watercolors along with illuminating selections from Audubon's journals and several of his paintings. With pencil and brush in hand, Clavreul turns his naturalist's eye and painterly skill to the landscapes that Audubon encountered on his travels, and to the animals and plants that Audubon depicted in his art. A passionate ornithologist, Clavreul sketches birds in the wild with rare dexterity, bringing them vividly to life on the page. He documents his encounters along the way with people who live with nature, many of whom are passionately engaged in preserving it, drawing on his insights as both a biologist and an artist to connect the past, present, and future.A spellbinding, richly evocative journey, In the Footsteps of Audubon is an invitation to see the natural world as Audubon saw it-and to see with new eyes what it has become today"--

Book Synopsis

An artist's uniquely personal journey across America

In the nineteenth century, ornithologist and painter John James Audubon set out to create a complete pictorial record of North American birdlife, traveling from Louisiana and the Florida Keys to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the cliffs of the Yellowstone River. The resulting work, The Birds of America, stands as a monumental achievement in American art. Over a period of sixteen years, recording his own journey in journals and hundreds of original paintings, renowned French watercolorist Denis Clavreul followed in the naturalist's footsteps.

In the Footsteps of Audubon brings together some 250 of Clavreul's stunning watercolors along with illuminating selections from Audubon's journals and several of his paintings. With pencil and brush in hand, Clavreul turns his naturalist's eye and painterly skill to the landscapes that Audubon encountered on his travels, and to the animals and plants that Audubon depicted in his art. A passionate ornithologist, Clavreul sketches birds in the wild with rare dexterity, bringing them vividly to life on the page. He documents his encounters along the way with people who live with nature, many of whom are passionately engaged in preserving it, drawing on his insights as both a biologist and an artist to connect the past, present, and future.

A spellbinding, richly evocative journey, In the Footsteps of Audubon is an invitation to see the natural world as Audubon saw it--and to see with new eyes what it has become today.

Review Quotes

"Both fascinating and beautiful, and the mix of history and art is likely to appeal to anyone with an interest in either [nature or art]."---Stephen Menzie, British Birds

"[A] lovely book."---Mark Gamin, 10,000 Birds

"Glorious watercolours and sketches."---Lorraine Connolly and Hadiyah Ilyas, The Countryman

"[A book] that would make a thoughtful gift for a young aspiring writer or artist."-- "Another Bird Blog"

"[A] volume that must be savored. Turning each page is a delight for birders and nature enthusiasts alike."---Maileen Hamto, Seattle Book Review

"A sumptuous book, packed full of art and history with a narrative that carries one along like a Mississippi Steamboat."---Bo Beolens, Fat Birder

"This is a book for the naturalist, the scientist, the artist and the dreamer. It has both visual appeal and an important message for everyone. Read it, gaze at the illustrations with wonder and share it with others. Your day will be the better for having done so."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

"This visually striking guide honors the beautiful American landscape as it appears today."---Dave Pugl, Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Denis Clavreul is a watercolorist, wildlife artist, and biologist whose acclaimed works have been exhibited around the world. He is the author and illustrator of many books, including Dreaming of Africa.