Raven (Primary Title)
The Birds of North America (Portfolio Title)
John James Audubon, American, born Haiti, 1785–1851 (Artist)
and Printed by, R. Havell and Son, English, active 1818 - 1838 (Engraver)
In the 1810s, American naturalist and painter John James Audubon embarked on the ambitious mission to observe and draw every bird species in the young nation. During an era when interests in art, science, and exploration converged, he traveled extensively to locate each known variety and picture it in its actual size and colors. Beginning in 1827, the English firm of R. Havell and Son reproduced Audubon’s detailed watercolors as large-folio prints.
This depiction was likely captured in Pennsylvania’s Great Pine Swamp. The artist wrote admiringly of the raven’s intelligence and resourcefulness. He also found its glossy black feathers beautiful, observing, “The nearer he approaches the sun, the more splendent . . . become the tints of his plumage.”
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
