Painted Bunting

by John James Audubon

Introduce the fascinating world of American ornithological painting into your home through this exquisite reproduction of John James Audubon’s classic Painted Bunting engraving. Engraved for the renowned Birds of America publication by Robert Havell Jr., this work is an outstanding reproduction of the bird known to the early French settlers as the Nonpareil—the word that means “without equal.”

The painting is well known to have a dynamic composition which differs greatly from conventional poses typical of the 19th century scientific illustrations. The painting brilliantly shows the sexual dimorphism of the Painted Bunting. It shows how the dazzling colors of the male bird—the bright blue head, the green back and the scarlet underparts—are juxtaposed with the rather modest olive green plumage of the female bird which is positioned atop the branch.