Overview

Although we remember John James Audubon's years in Louisiana primarily for the art he produced there, his writings reflect the profound impact the region made on him and his artistic vision, especially in his magnificent collection of paintings published as The Birds of America. In Audubon on Louisiana Ben Forkner compiles and explains in depth Audubon's essential writings on the region. Beginning in 1810 as Audubon arrives in the upper Louisiana Territory, and continuing as he moves into southern Louisiana ten years later (and eventually brings his wife, Lucy, to join him), Audubon's journals, essays, and letters reveal his struggles to fill his portfolio with new watercolors, his discoveries throughout the region, and the transformative effect the area had on both his art and his life. Forkner provides a detailed introduction to Audubon's private journal of 1820- 21, the Louisiana Journal, to guide readers through this compelling document. Until now, the difficulty of comprehending Audubon's rough English has often kept readers from fully appreciating the Journal's significance. The volume also contains a dozen essays that Audubon penned about his experiences in Louisiana; most of these """"episodes"""" he published in his Ornithological Biography, a massive five-volume written work that complements the visual art of Birds of America. Letters describing Audubon's last voyage to Louisiana in 1837 followed by nine of his Louisiana bird biographies round out the collection. These original texts, augmented with Forkner's commentary, form a magisterial work that illuminates the importance of Louisiana to Audubon's life and art. Audubon on Louisiana deepens appreciation of one of the most significant artists- and nature writers- of the nineteenth century.

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9780807169582

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Edited by a skilled compiler and elucidator of the great man's writings on his time in Louisiana, this fine book is a vital addition to the literature on Audubon. Both a work of scholarship and a great read, it will, I am sure, remain the standard title on a vitally important aspect of this preeminent American ornithological artist's life and work.--Jonathan Elphick, author of Birds: The Art of Ornithology Audubon on Louisiana is almost a misleading title for such a grand selection. This book is a portrait of the great artist, naturalist, explorer, and author, and of his times. Indispensable to a true understanding of his art, this lively volume is a faithful bedside companion and a trove of surprising stories. Adventurous fun!--Fred Chappell, author of I Am One of You Forever Audubon on Louisiana illuminates the shaping influence of 'Louisiana' on Audubon's development as a writer and an artist. The introductions provide deeply informed, creative, and original insights into Audubon's vivid, compelling writings, as well as deepen our understanding of Audubon the man and artist. This is a welcome, important contribution to the recent renaissance in Audubon studies.--Daniel Patterson, editor of The Missouri River Journals of John James Audubon Audubon's avian watercolors really took flight in Louisiana! One of the better-kept secrets is that the artist is also one of America's greatest and most eloquent nature writers--a raconteur--and a natural storyteller. Audubon on Louisiana spreads the word and captures his heady intoxication in this birding paradise.--Roberta Olson, curator of drawings, New York Historical Society

Edited by a skilled compiler and elucidator of the great man's writings on his time in Louisiana, this fine book is a vital addition to the literature on Audubon. Both a work of scholarship and a great read, it will, I am sure, remain the standard title on a vitally important aspect of this preeminent American ornithological artist's life and work.--Jonathan Elphick, author of Birds: The Art of Ornithology Audubon on Louisiana is almost a misleading title for such a grand selection. This book is a portrait of the great artist, naturalist, explorer, and author, and of his times. Indispensable to a true understanding of his art, this lively volume is a faithful bedside companion and a trove of surprising stories. Adventurous fun!--Fred Chappell, author of I Am One of You Forever Audubon's avian watercolors really took flight in Louisiana! One of the better-kept secrets is that the artist is also one of America's greatest and most eloquent nature writers--a raconteur--and a natural storyteller. Audubon on Louisiana spreads the word and captures his heady intoxication in this birding paradise.--Roberta Olson, curator of drawings, New York Historical Society Audubon on Louisiana illuminates the shaping influence of 'Louisiana' on Audubon's development as a writer and an artist. The introductions provide deeply informed, creative, and original insights into Audubon's vivid, compelling writings, as well as deepen our understanding of Audubon the man and artist. This is a welcome, important contribution to the recent renaissance in Audubon studies.--Daniel Patterson, editor of The Missouri River Journals of John James Audubon

Edited by a skilled compiler and elucidator of the great man's writings on his time in Louisiana, this fine book is a vital addition to the literature on Audubon. Both a work of scholarship and a great read, it will, I am sure, remain the standard title on a vitally important aspect of this preeminent American ornithological artist's life and work.--Jonathan Elphick, author of Birds: The Art of Ornithology Audubon's avian watercolors really took flight in Louisiana! One of the better-kept secrets is that the artist is also one of America's greatest and most eloquent nature writers--a raconteur--and a natural storyteller. Audubon on Louisiana spreads the word and captures his heady intoxication in this birding paradise.--Roberta Olson, curator of drawings, New York Historical Society Audubon on Louisiana is almost a misleading title for such a grand selection. This book is a portrait of the great artist, naturalist, explorer, and author, and of his times. Indispensable to a true understanding of his art, this lively volume is a faithful bedside companion and a trove of surprising stories. Adventurous fun!--Fred Chappell, author of I Am One of You Forever Audubon on Louisiana illuminates the shaping influence of 'Louisiana' on Audubon's development as a writer and an artist. The introductions provide deeply informed, creative, and original insights into Audubon's vivid, compelling writings, as well as deepen our understanding of Audubon the man and artist. This is a welcome, important contribution to the recent renaissance in Audubon studies.--Daniel Patterson, editor of The Missouri River Journals of John James Audubon

Edited by a skilled compiler and elucidator of the great man's writings on his time in Louisiana, this fine book is a vital addition to the literature on Audubon. Both a work of scholarship and a great read, it will, I am sure, remain the standard title on a vitally important aspect of this preeminent American ornithological artist's life and work.--Jonathan Elphick, author of Birds: The Art of Ornithology Audubon on Louisiana illuminates the shaping influence of 'Louisiana' on Audubon's development as a writer and an artist. The introductions provide deeply informed, creative, and original insights into Audubon's vivid, compelling writings, as well as deepen our understanding of Audubon the man and artist. This is a welcome, important contribution to the recent renaissance in Audubon studies.--Daniel Patterson, editor of The Missouri River Journals of John James Audubon Audubon's avian watercolors really took flight in Louisiana! One of the better-kept secrets is that the artist is also one of America's greatest and most eloquent nature writers--a raconteur--and a natural storyteller. Audubon on Louisiana spreads the word and captures his heady intoxication in this birding paradise.--Roberta Olson, curator of drawings, New York Historical Society Audubon on Louisiana is almost a misleading title for such a grand selection. This book is a portrait of the great artist, naturalist, explorer, and author, and of his times. Indispensable to a true understanding of his art, this lively volume is a faithful bedside companion and a trove of surprising stories. Adventurous fun!--Fred Chappell, author of I Am One of You Forever

Author Information

A retired professor of English, Ben Forkner has published three books on Audubon: John James Audubon: Journaux et Récits; John James Audubon: Selected Journals and Other Writings; and John James Audubon Portfolio. He has also published Louisiana Stories, Cajun, and a dozen books on writers of Ireland and the American South.

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