Audubon and the Art of Birds - Curator’s Tour

When
11 Jan 2014
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota
Registered
33 registrants

Registration

guest
$3.50 registration fee to be paid to GRC on the day of the event.
member

Registration is closed

Audubon and the Art of Birds - Curator’s Tour

January 11, 2014 1:00-3:00pm
Bell Museum of Natural History

Join the Great River Chapter for a special tour of this important exhibit, lead by Curator of Exhibits, Don Luce. In his presentation, Mr. Luce will pay special attention to the plant materials featured in the Audubon images.

The entry fee for GRC members will be covered by the chapter; guests are welcome at $3.50 per person (payable on site). We need to have an accurate head count before the event, so please be sure to register. The Bell Museum is on the East Bank campus. Nearby University parking ramps and garages should have ample space during the University break.

Audubon and the Art of Birds explores the human fascination with birds, and showcases one of the museum’s most valuable treasures: a double-elephant folio edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America. After restoration, a total of 50 prints from this mammoth publication will be on display over the course of the exhibition. This first half of the exhibit features 33 images, with the second half opening in February. 

Using Audubon’s great work as a focal point, the exhibition traces the evolution of ornithological art from the Renaissance to the present day. From simple woodcuts to elegantly refined engravings and photo-realist paintings, the exhibition engages visitors in the artistic struggle to understand the beauty, diversity and vitality of birds. In addition to Audubon, other featured artists include Mark Catesby, Alexander Wilson, Francois Levaillant, John Gould, Francis Lee Jaques, Roger Tory Peterson and Charley Harper. The exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see works by these different artists, brought together in one location.

Following the presentation, we will have the opportunity to explore the museum, including the outstanding collection of dioramas, widely considered to be some of the finest in the country.