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