Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Book Review - In the Footsteps of Audubon - Princeton University Press


      This is a wonderful book, covering the quest of one French artist to retrace the steps of another; let us not forget that John James Audubon was born Jean-Jacques Rabin and only later anglicized his forenames.
     At times, throughout the narrative, one has the impression that Clavreul undertakes his pursuit of Audubon with a spirit approaching messianic zeal. David Sibley, no mean artist himself, sets the scene for us in a foreword distinctly superior to many, "If Denis's paintings are analagous to poems, Audubon's are like short stories." 
     Clavreul reminds us that "All the watercolours and sketches were made in the field, without the help of photographs." How pleasing it is, how fitting in fact, that Clavreul, like Audubon, spent his time in the outdoors, sketchbook in hand, watercolours, brushes and easel at the ready, conveying not only the image of a bird, but interpreting in that image the sense of movement, song, behaviour and weather. The result is a lifelike interpretation, birds seem ready to burst into song or emerge from the page in flight, a result impossible to achieve from reproducing the flat image of a photograph. 


     It bears remembering that Audubon did not have today's binoculars and telescopes available to him, and close views of his subject were only achieved by a rifleshot. It is a sad contradiction that Audubon, who on several occasions lamented the senseless slaughter of so many birds, was himself guilty of taking far more specimens than he needed for his poses. He was both a product of his times and an incipient conservationist. 
      A fascinating aspect of this book is that Clavreul permits us to see the development of his work, from quick sketch to more detailed watercolours, and how the proportions are correctly achieved, as one sketch complements another, and several details fuse together to portray the bird.


     As anyone who has ever studied birds or mammals knows one is often afforded only the briefest of glimpses, and impressions gleaned on each occasion must be combined to complete the gestalt of the subject.
     Not only does Clavreul paint birds he provides us with many superb watercolours of the landscapes in which he travels, following in the footsteps of his hero.


    Through his art he permits us to accompany him, and by extension Audubon, on his journeys through an America that was undergoing massive upheaval.
     A covered bridge retains its appeal to this day.


     Poignantly, the conditions under which Audubon lived and worked are shown in the images from his simple quarters at Mill Grove.


     Audubon experienced a good deal of failure during his life, and personal grief too. He was often away from his family for long periods and, though missing them greatly, he was firmly in the grip of his obsession to paint lifesize portraits of all the birds of North America.
     The pictures have become iconic images of the natural history of the frontier and command the respect that Audubon deparately sought, and huge sums he could never have imagined.
     Clavreul says, "If he were alive today, John James Audubon would certainly be appalled by the environmental degradation since his time and by its impact on natural resources, ecosystems and biodiversity."
     One might think, "So are we all"; sadly this is not the case. Human influence and indifference continue to change the very climate in ways that threaten the continued existence of all life on earth.
     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.

In the Foorsteps of Audubon - Princeton University Press
Denis Clavreul
Foreword by David Allen Sibley 
Translated by Martha Le Cars
Hardcover - US$39.95 - ISBN 9780691237688
256 pages - 11.75 x 9.5 inches (29.375 x 23.75 cm)
272 colour illustrations
Publication date: 1 November, 2022
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

51 comments:

  1. ...the illustrations are wonderful.

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  2. I really enjoy the beautiful illustrations in this book. Beautiful paintings.

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  3. I love illustrations like that, David. I'm sure it's a beautiful book.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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  4. Cały czas jestem pełna podziwu dla artystów malujących nature, zwierzęta a zwłaszcza ptaki z natury. To bardzo trudna sztuka. Trzeba mieć niezwykły talent i zmysł. Do tej pory nieliczni artyści tak szkicują i malują ptaki. Podziwiam ich.

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    1. As an artist yourself you would unerstand, Ludmila.

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  5. From your review, David, I can see that it is a wonderful book but, sadly, it's a luxury that I dare not indulge in at the moment as the future looks very uncertain in our current political climate. The hatches are being firmly battened down in the Pegler household!

    Best wishes to you and Miriam - - - Richard

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    1. The political (and economic) climate seems pretty dire in the UK right now.

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  6. Hari OM
    Oh my... I am going to have to make some tough decisions when it comes to sorting out that Christmas list... YAM xx

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  7. Nice watercolour drawings of those creatures (1st & 2nd). I also like the covered wooden bridge.

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  8. A truly beautiful book and a wonderful review. Have a very nice day today.

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    1. For an artist like you it would have ectra appeal.

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  9. Another stunning review that fills me (again) with bookie lust. Thank you. Drat you.

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  10. Estimado amigo, realmente debe ser un libro apasionante tanto por sus dibujos como por cuanto rodea de contenido. Esas acuarelas desde el boceto a la realización ya hablan por si solas, es como un poema casi en movimiento.
    Gracias por su presentación querido amigo David.
    Un fuerte abrazo y os deseo feliz resto de semana.

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  11. The book's illustrations are beautiful.

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  12. What a lovely review. I'm sure it's a beautiful book.

    Love,
    Janie

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  13. The illustrations are wonderful.

    All the best Jan

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  14. A lot of the books you review are more technical and probably of greater interest to the hardcore bird/bug/snake/critter follower than me. But this one. This one I might have to have, as much for the illustrations as the story. I love stories about someone who chooses to follow in the footsteps of an earlier master and this sounds wonderful.

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    1. As an accomplish artist yourself, Jeanie, I am quite sure you would LOVE this book.

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  15. A beautiful book; I can imagine how it feels in one's hands. I would vote the pictures perfect.

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  16. This does sound fascinating and the watercolor illustrations alone are worth the price of the book.

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  17. This looks like a truly lovely book. It is always inspiring to look at other artists' works, especially when they relate to nature and the natural world. And I didn't know Audubon was French and Anglicized his name. I'm adding this one to my wish list also. Thanks for sharing. hugs-Erika

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    1. I am quite sure, Erika, that for someone with your artistic bent the book would be visually appealing, historically interestesting and also instructive.

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  18. Love these water colours, they are indeed not harsh but soft and appealing.

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  19. I love these illustrations David.
    I think this is a nice book.
    Greetings Irma

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  20. Hi David - this is when I get jealous ... I'd love to be able to draw and paint and so many other things ... I've always admired Audubon - ever since I came across him. Oh how I'd love this book - as EC (Sue) says ... bookie lust I usually have after reading your reviews. Thanks for a great introduction - fascinating to read and dream about ... cheers Hilary

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  21. A book to savour, again and again and again. Which I am sure you will do David. Gorgeous work and lovely to see his pitiful (for such an artist) "studio".
    XO
    WWW

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  22. This is a book I would like to read, thanks so much for the good review. Big hugs, Valerie

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  23. Hello David :=)
    I will put this beautiful book on my wish list for Christmas. The illustrations are sublime, and all the more exceptional done from life in the outdoors.
    Huge hugs right back to you David.

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  24. Bonjour David.
    Très beau carnet de vie..... Mais encore en anglais 😭😭😭.
    Gros bisous mon ami

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    1. Dommage, Nathalie, que plus de livres ne soient past traduis en français.

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  25. A very good idea with watercolors!

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  26. What an interesting book!....looks like a lovely gift for any occasion....I love the elegance of the drawings.......Abrazotes, Marcela

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  27. It sounds interesting, especially to see the added information on the places Audubon traveled and lived.

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  28. Thanks for the insights into this wonderful book. It never occurred to me that he would have to kill the birds for his purpose.

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  29. David, I love old bird books with illustrations of the time, and this one that you present to us is illustrated with wonderful watercolors of exceptional realism. A hug.

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  30. Parece un libro precioso querido amigo, me encantaría. Un abrazo.

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  31. Thank you for introducing us to this book. The artwork is impressive and the information inside too.

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  32. Audubon did so much for the birding community. LOVED the illustrations. I also loved your autumn colors from the blog post below this one.

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  33. Thank you David, for joining Friday Face OFF.

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  34. I would love this book! I have Audubon's book but these quick sketches and watercolors grouped together are just wonderful. Thanks for showing me.

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  35. Quite remarkable, to be able to sketch those images in the fields. It would be a lovely book for a coffee table, to browse through often.

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We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

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