John James Audubon: A Curious Life

“I cannot help but think a curious event is this life of mine.”
– John James Audubon-

John James Audubon, renowned for his breathtaking bird paintings and the monumental “Birds of America,” lived a life as extraordinary as the subjects he immortalized. Born into scandal in Haiti, his early years were marked by illegitimacy, poverty, and even bankruptcy in America. Yet, this tumultuous past – the life of a “bastard” in France, the hardships of a frontier woodsman – only seemed to fuel his relentless pursuit of knowledge and artistic expression. Audubon’s journey from a seemingly ordinary man to a celebrated artist and naturalist stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

A Scandalous Beginning and a Tumultuous Childhood

Born Jean Rabin in Haiti in 1785, the illegitimate son of French sea captain Jean Audubon, the future ornithologist experienced a tumultuous start. His mother tragically died shortly after his birth, leaving him to be raised by a group of Haitian women. However, the Haitian Slave Rebellion in 1791 disrupted his life. At only five or six years old, he was forced to flee to Nantes, France, where he began a new chapter.

Raised by his father’s wife, Anne, in France, Audubon faced significant social hurdles. Under French law, his illegitimacy barred him from inheritance, baptism, and full social acceptance. This stigma, cast a long shadow over his personal and professional pursuits.

Yet, Audubon did find solace in the natural world. As he described, “My father being mostly absent on duty, my mother suffered me to do much as I pleased; it was therefore not to be wondered at that, instead of applying closely to my studies, I preferred associating with boys of my own age and disposition, who were more fond of going in search of birds’ nests, fishing, or shooting, than of better studies.”This early exposure to the natural world ignited a lifelong passion for birds.  

Life in France during Audubon’s childhood wasn’t all idyllic wanderings. It was abruptly shattered by the French Revolution. The Reign of Terror in Nantes, his hometown, saw mass executions, with suspected royalists summarily drowned in the Loire River, a chilling practice known as the “national bathtub.” This violent episode left an indelible mark on the young Audubon.

A New Life in America

In 1803, when he was eighteen years old, Audubon was sent to America to escape conscription into Napoleon’s army. A French speaker by birth, he quickly adapted to his new surroundings, learning English. Jean Rabin anglicized his name and became John James Audubon. He assumed responsibility for the lead mine on his father’s 175-acre estate, Mill Grove, near Philadelphia.

He embraced the outdoors, spending countless hours exploring the surrounding wilderness. It was during this period that he conducted early ornithological observations. He tied colored strings to eastern phoebes and discovered that birds often return to the same place to build their nests year after year. It was also a period of intense observation and artistic exploration. He developed a unique method of preserving and posing dead birds with wires and threads, capturing their lifelike forms for his meticulous drawings. This period laid the foundation for his future masterpiece, “The Birds of America.”

During these years, he also found love with Lucy Bakewell. “Highly educated, physically strong, and a musician, she swam naked in rivers and observed birds in caves with Audubon, like him answering the call of the wild. Their relationship proves that opposites attract: she was the steady, logical presence to his more intuitive, artistic temperament.” (Source: Lucy Bakewell Audubon) They married in 1808, and their partnership would become a cornerstone of his future success.

The Audubons relocated to Louisville, Kentucky. This period saw the birth of their children. A major setback for Audubon occurred in 1812 when rats devoured 200 of his precious paintings. Two successful general stores were established. However, their steam mill failed, contributing to Audubon’s financial ruin. The Panic of 1819 plunged the Audubons into financial ruin. Bankruptcy forced the sale of their home and possessions, and Audubon endured the humiliation of imprisonment. His cherished bird paintings, deemed worthless by others, were returned to him. In this devastation, Audubon lost his self-confidence and feelings of worth.

The weight of his failures had brought Audubon to a desolate point in his life. Audubon had no inkling of the celebrated artist and naturalist he would one day become. In next week’s post, we visit the celebrated part of John James Audubon’s life.

Audubon and I: Birding Across the Years

Like John James Audubon, I share a deep fascination with birds. We both find joy in capturing their beauty, though our methods couldn’t be more different. Audubon embarked on arduous journeys across America, meticulously painting each bird he encountered. I, on the other hand, am fortunate to have the convenience of the digital camera. My studio is my own backyard, where I’ve create a whimsical “gardens” for the birds to play in.

I use vintage memorabilia, flowers, and natural treasures to create enchanting scenes for my subjects. This not only provides them with food but also gives me unique and captivating photographs. It’s a win-win situation – the birds get a feast, and I get fascinating photos. While Audubon painted the grand spectacle of American birds, I capture the intimate moments of the feathered friends in my own little corner of the world. Find some surprising photography and smiles at AzarElGreetings.com

Sources:

John James Audubon: A Complicated History

John J Audubon’s The Birds of America

Drawn from Nature

The Myth of John James Audubon

What is “The Birds of America”

The Death of John James Audubon, January 27, 1851

John James Audubon: The Man, the Myth, and His Surprising Connection to Mandeville

5 Things You Didn’t Know About John James Audubon

Lucy Bakewell Audubon

John James Audubon: Confused, Wrong, or Neither
Audubon painted a bunch of birds that no one has seen since. We explore the most likely options behind the mystery birds.

John James Audubon Quotes