Lot 223a, Auction 4/20/2026: 19th C. Audubon Lithograph, Columbian Black-Tailed Deer

$520.00

In stock

John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851) and John Woodhouse Audubon (American, 1812-1862). Printed and colored by John T. Bowen (American, 1801-ca. 1856). “Columbian Black Tailed Deer” lithograph in colors, ca. 1850. Published in Philadelphia from 1849-1856. A framed octavo sized lithograph of Audubon’s “Columbian Black Tailed Deer”, number 22 / plate 126 of “The Vivaparous Quadrupeds of North America” which was created in collaboration with reverend and naturalist John Bachman (1790-1874) who wrote the accompanying text. Audubon and his son John Woodhouse left during the summer of 1843 for an expedition along the Missouri River to depict and document the 4-legged mammals of North America. The esteemed printmaker John T. Bowen produced the set of 150 black and white lithographs which were hand colored. This piece depicts a male and a female black tailed deer, both standing upon the grassy plains. A beautiful Audubon set in an antique Eastlake frame. Size of sight view: 6.2″ L x 8.125″ W (15.7 cm x 20.6 cm) Size of frame: 13.25″ L x 15.375″ W (33.7 cm x 39.1 cm)

John James Audubon was an American painter, ornithologist, and naturalist who created illustrated zoologies that served as both scientific documents and wonderful works of art on paper in the 19th century before photomechanical processes were the primary method of creating book illustrations. Zoological illustration is a specialized genre of art, and while Audubon sought to accurately depict animals like other illustrators, his work stands apart as an exemplar because he was also concerned with aesthetic considerations and created the finest compositions, meeting the demands of both art and science.

Audubon is perhaps most famous for his depictions of birds; however, he also depicted mammals as we see in this example. Prior to Audubon’s work and that of only a few others including John Gould and Josef Wolf, most ornithological and zoological illustrations were not drawn from life but rather from mounted specimens, showing a bird perching upon a branch for example. Audubon was one of the first to impart motion and instill life in his illustrations. What’s more the medium of colored lithography was ideal for capturing the vivid hues of birds’ plumage and mammals’ fur.

Condition: This hand-colored lithograph has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in excellent condition. The antique Eastlake frame has a some normal scuffs/nicks but is otherwise in very nice condition . Wired for suspension and ready to display.

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; Private collection of a Private Colorado Family

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