Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Though we remember John James Audubon's years in Louisiana primarily for the art he produced while living there, his written references to Louisiana indicate that the state provided more than simply a locale. Louisiana itself had a profound impact on his artistic vision as he produced the magnificent collection of paintings published as The Birds of America.
In Audubon on Louisiana, Ben Forkner compiles Audubon's essential writings on the state and demonstrates the significant role the region played in the painter's life. Beginning in 1810 as Audubon arrives in the old Louisiana Territory, and continuing as he moves into southern Louisiana ten years later (and eventually brings his wife, Lucy, to join him), these writings reveal Audubon's struggles to fill his portfolio with new watercolors, his discoveries throughout the region, and the transformative impact the area had on both his art and his life.
By including Audubon's private journal of 1820-21, the Louisiana Journal, Forkner offers new insights into Audubon's struggles and processes and inspires a deeper appreciation of his works. The difficulty of reading Audubon's rough English has often kept readers from fully appreciating the Journal's significance, but Forkner removes this barrier with a detailed explanation in the headnote to guide readers through this compelling document.
Audubon on Louisiana also contains twelve essays that Audubon penned about his time in the state. Most of these episodes he included in his Ornithological Biography, a massive five-volume description that complements the visual art of Birds of America. Forkner concludes with a selection of Audubon's letters describing his last voyage to Louisiana in 1837 and a final section that reproduces nine of Audubon's Louisiana bird biographies.
Forkner provides a concise biography of Audubon's life in the Pelican State, with commentary on each selection that introduces readers to the great artist who was also a great nature writer. This magisterial work illuminates the origins of Audubon's art and offers a fascinating autobiographical record that will deepen our understanding and change our perception of one of the most significant artists of the nineteenth century.
Synopsis
Although we remember John James Audubon's years in Louisiana primarily for the art he produced there, his writings reflect the profound impact the region made on him and his artistic vision, especially in his magnificent collection of paintings published as The Birds of America.
In Audubon on Louisiana, Ben Forkner compiles and explains in depth Audubon's essential writings on the region. Beginning in 1810 as Audubon arrives in the upper Louisiana Territory, and continuing as he moves into southern Louisiana ten years later (and eventually brings his wife, Lucy, to join him), Audubon's journals, essays, and letters reveal his struggles to fill his portfolio with new watercolors, his discoveries throughout the region, and the transformative effect the area had on both his art and his life.
Forkner provides a detailed introduction to Audubon's private journal of 1820-21, the Louisiana Journal, to guide readers through this compelling document. Until now, the difficulty of comprehending Audubon's rough English has often kept readers from fully appreciating the Journal's significance. The volume also contains a dozen essays that Audubon penned about his experiences in Louisiana; most of these "episodes" he published in his Ornithological Biography, a massive five-volume written work that complements the visual art of Birds of America. Letters describing Audubon's last voyage to Louisiana in 1837 followed by nine of his Louisiana bird biographies round out the collection.
These original texts, augmented with Forkner's commentary, form a magisterial work that illuminates the importance of Louisiana to Audubon's life and art. Audubon on Louisiana deepens appreciation of one of the most significant artists--and nature writers--of the nineteenth century.