Plate 152 White-breasted Black-capped Nuthatch 

John James Audubon made this print of White-breasted Black-capped Nuthatches as part of his “Birds of America” series, a project rooted in the 19th-century passion for cataloging the natural world. Audubon, a man of mixed race who passed as white, sought to define an American identity through its unique wildlife. Yet, this pursuit occurred against the backdrop of the brutal displacement of Native Americans and the exploitation of enslaved African people.   The print showcases Audubon's skill in capturing the dynamism of these birds. Note how they appear to defy gravity, clinging to branches in various orientations. Yet, Audubon wasn't just an observer; he collected hundreds of bird specimens throughout his life for art. Consider the emotional weight of representing nature through acts that are also an assertion of human dominance. Audubon’s art invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.