Plate 155 Black-throated Blue Warbler 

Plate 155 Black-throated Blue Warbler is an early 19th-century engraving with etching and aquatint, made by John James Audubon. Audubon’s identity as a birder, an artist, and an American was deeply interwoven with the cultural and scientific understandings of the natural world at the time. He lived in an era when the concept of wilderness was idealized, yet also viewed as a resource to be exploited. This duality is palpable in Audubon's work, which aimed to capture the beauty of birds while simultaneously contributing to the scientific inventory of American species. His meticulous illustrations reflect both a scientific interest in ornithology and an artistic appreciation for the aesthetic qualities of birds. There is an emotional paradox in admiring and documenting these creatures while being complicit in their potential destruction. These prints remind us of a complex and troubling history. They prompt us to consider how our own desires and actions impact the world around us.