Dover, DE – From August 3 – November 25, 2018, the Biggs Museum will host an exhibition of over 50 original etchings and lithographs of well-known artist and naturalist John James Audubon. The works will be displayed alongside the work of contemporary artists from America and the United Kingdom who have been influenced by his monumental animal studies.
The Biggs Museum will kick-off the exhibition with a ticketed opening party on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 5:30 -7:30 p.m., which includes a hosted bar and cocktail reception.
About Audubon, Then and Now
In 1826 when John James Audubon turned 41, his wife encouraged him to travel to England to find innovative ways to reproduce over 300 watercolor bird studies into one of the most important projects in art history. He had been studying rare and beautiful birds across the North American landscape for over a decade and had amassed an enormous library of original images and field notes. These images formed his iconic, monumental Birds of America totaling over 400 life-size studies of his avian obsessions. In a few years, Audubon also began the equally ambitious project of recording mammals as well in the Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.
The best-known accomplishments of this painter, printmaker, publisher and naturalist were immediately popular on two continents, influencing artists and designers throughout America and the United Kingdom. The creation of his images have remined a constant influence upon science, natural preservation and the visual arts to this day. Artists continue to draw upon his aesthetics and the romantic impression of his artistic process with a wide variety of works, from photography to painting to sculpture.
The Biggs Museum is proud to display over 50 original Audubon prints from both Birds and Quadrupeds, graciously lent by Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library and the Huntsville Museum of Art, with 20 works created by leading contemporary artists today including, but not limited to, Jamie Wyeth, Kevin Sloan and Beth Cavener. Today’s artists allow viewers to see Audubon’s artworks in new lights, to think about this adventurous and entertaining naturalist in new ways. This exhibition of contrasts, new and old, is crafted to explore the novel artistic choices that Audubon made, to witness his attention to scientific observation, to appreciate him as an early recorder of American regionalism and better understand his complicated relationship to the animal world.
“We are exceptionally proud of this exhibition that the staff of the Biggs Museum has carefully curated over the past several years,” shared Director Charles Guerin. “Many of the original Audubon prints in this show have not been on view in our area for several decades. Furthermore, the exhibition will be a regional introduction of several of the international contemporary artists in the exhibition. Artists of stature within the contemporary artworld really responded enthusiastically to the museum’s invitation to show work in this exhibition – what they sent is amazing.”
Contemporary Work
The works of the exhibiting, contemporary artists were selected for Audubon, Then and Now for their fresh and unique perspectives on the tradition of naturalist artworks by early practitioners such as Mark Catesby, Alexander Wilson and, of course, John James Audubon. Today’s opinion of the naturalist tradition are quite varied, encompassing criticism, veneration, irony and modern techniques which bring a rich layer of interpretation to the historical images on view within the Biggs Museum’s exhibition.
Contemporary artists featured in Audubon, Then and Now Exhibition:
Julie Blackmon
Beth Cavener
Ann Chahbandour
Kate Clark
Hunter Clarke
Kevin Fleming
Laurie Hogin
Kay Jackson
Tom Judd
Karen Knorr
Kate MacDowell
Claire Morgan
Deidre Murphy (work pictured)
Kevin Sloan
Amy Stein
Jamie Wyeth
Partnering Antiques Dealers, Art Galleries and Museums on Audubon, Then and Now:
Clark Gallery, Lincoln MA
Danziger Art Gallery, New York
Delaware Museum of Natural History
Galerie Karsten Greve, Paris, Cologne, St. Moritz
Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia
Huntsville Museum of Art
Jason Jacques Gallery, New York
Minniesland.com, LLC
Robert Koch Gallery, San Francisco
Robert Mann Gallery, New York
Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville, DE
William Holman Gallery, New York
Winterthur Museum and Library
High resolution marketing images of artwork in the exhibition are available upon request.
Quick Facts About Audubon, Then and Now
Open August 3 – November 25, 2018
In 1826 when John James Audubon turned 41, his wife encouraged him to travel to England to find innovative ways to reproduce over 300 watercolor bird studies into one of the most important projects in art history. The iconic images of this painter, printmaker, publisher and naturalist remain relevant for the artists and art lovers of today. The Biggs Museum is proud to display over 50 original Audubon prints made for his two best-known publications, the monumental Birds of America and the ambitious Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. Rarely seen hand-painted etchings from the collections of Winterthur Museum and Library and lithographs from the Huntsville Museum of Art will illuminate Audubon’s ideas about scientific examination, depicting birds and animals within the emerging United States and their relationship to the vast wildernesses of early America. Modern opinions of Audubon’s legacy will also be explored with displays of artworks by living artists influenced by this paragon of 19th century naturalist art. More information at www.BiggsMuseum.org/Audubon
Opening Party Quick Facts
A Night with the Birds: Exhibition Opening Party
Friday, August 3, 2018 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25/$20 for Members
Celebrate this extra special exhibition with an extra special opening party. Enjoy a lovely evening out with wonderful company, a hosted bar and cocktail party. Space is limited. Ticket can be purchased at www.BiggsMuseum.org/Audubon or call 302-674-2111.
The exhibition will also be accompanied by a variety of programming including nature hikes, watercolor workshops and collaborative nature-related, partner programming. Visit www.biggsmusuem.org/Audubon for a full list of programs.
If You Go – Museum Quick Facts
Museum Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday- Saturday – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday – 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Biggs Museum Admission Fees
General Admission: $10.00
Members: Free
Seniors(60+): $8.00
Children 18 & under, and students: Free
Active military & family with ID: Free
First Saturday of every month: Free
Companions or care persons of people with disabilities: Free
Free Admission on select Downtown Dover Festival Days (ie: Saturday of Dover Days, 4th of July, Comic Con). For questions, please call (302) 674-2111.
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