Avis Marvelous: Ornithology on the Western Frontier, 1776-1896
About the Exhibition
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, as Europeans and American explorers were documenting the natural history of the Western Hemisphere, avian artists created assemblages of their bird art for distribution. From their original artworks, prints were produced and disseminated to audiences that could afford them.
As nineteenth century reproduction technology improved and lowered costs—especially with chromolithography (a chemical process using a separate stone for each color)—avian art atlases and books became more widespread. Avis Marvelous: Ornithology on the Western Frontier, curated by Lee Silliman, features over 50 historic engravings that provide a glimpse into the documentation and art produced about birds in the North American West during this era. These images are juxtaposed with their historic context, information about various species pictured, and a discussion on the status of several of these species today.
The historic avian artistry of western birds in this exhibit offers viewing visitors’ beautiful art, interesting history, and scientific understanding of a fascinating group of earthly creatures. The historical commentary is liberally comingled with modern data and the present status of birds. The ensemble is an attractive glimpse into the past, with an update on current knowledge.
Image credit: A collection of images courtesy of curator Lee Silliman.
Highlights
