Audubon

Known as the "American Woodsman", John James Audubon became famous when the world was introduced to his Birds of America; a collection of hand colored prints depicting 497 American bird species that became an instant hit across the pond. I learned this and more after watching a Audubon special on PBS and I was inspired to post my favorite Audubon prints. His American White Pelican above is probably my favorite print. Pelican's are such funny looking creatures; awkward yet stately. In Louisiana the pelican is seen everywhere; it's Louisiana's state bird (the brown one that is) and is part of the Tulane University seal . The Tulane seal depicts a mother pelican shedding her own blood to bring her young back to life (based on an ancient legend, the “pelican in her piety” ). It is seen as a symbol of self-sacrifice explained in Tulane's motto, Non sibi, sed suis: “Not for one’s self, but for one’s own.” Audubon is also closely associated with Louisiana; he lived in New Orleans for some time which provided inspiration for the prints shown. You can get the rare Octavo First Edition prints by John James Audubon at Joel Oppenheimer Gallery in Chicago and compliment it with a pretty gilt frame. Here are some more Louisiana inspired ontological prints by Audubon :

Louisiana Heron

Whopping Crane