Aududon based his work on detailed studies of birds, both dead and alive in their natural habitats. He often portrayed them in motion, in contrast to his contemporaries. All birds were depicted life size. This is plate 72 from Audubon's famous work of natural history The Birds of America, which contained just over 700 North American birds. Title Swallow-tailed Hawk Creator John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851) Date Created 1827-1838 Roles Artist John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851) Provenance Acquired by Kent D. Currie [mode of acquisition unknown] before 1969; Walters Art Museum, 1969, by bequest. Object Type lithographs Medium ink on paper Geography Place of Origin United States Dimensions H 20 7/8 x W 27 3/16 in. (53 x 69 cm) Credit Line Bequest of Kent D. Currie, 1969 Classification Prints Accession Number 93.66
