John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851). "Grizzly Bear." From "The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America." New York: J.J. Audubon, 1845-48. Imperial Folio. Lithograph by Bowen. Original hand coloring by Bowen. A wonderful print from Audubon's magnificent "Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America," this composition was conceived in a similar vein to Audubon’s "Birds of America" - that is as a complete presentation of the quadrupeds of "the British and Russian possessions in American, the whole of the United States and their territories, California, and that part of Mexico north of the Tropic of Cancer." This large-scale, hand-colored lithograph features two impressive Grizzly Bears standing in a grassy terrain, surrounded by natural flora with evergreens in the distance, and majestic mountains beyond. Size: 20.75" L x 27.25" W (52.7 cm x 69.2 cm) Size of matte: 26.75" L x 32.25" W (67.9 cm x 81.9 cm)

"The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America" includes 150 prints in the imperial folio size, each one lithographed and hand-colored with meticulous precision and the utmost care. Note how Audubon presented the fur on the animals in a remarkably realistic manner. This was the first work on American quadrupeds of such magnitude and quality, and as Audubon's second great achievement following "Birds of America," it is a landmark of American natural science. While perhaps overshadowed by the "Birds of America," some consider the prints of Audubon’s "Quadrupeds of North America" to be even finer and more accurate than the bird prints.

Audubon took this project on, yet another of monumental proportions, during the last twelve years of his life. As he trekked over much of that territory, Audubon made an impressive number of studies of the animals in their natural habitats and also collected many animal skins. With the assistance of his sons, John Woodhouse and Victor, Audubon started issuing the prints by subscription in 1842, with the first volume of 50 plates published in 1845.

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Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection

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#164774

Small tear to upper left margin that does not impact the image. Minor stains to margins that also do not impact the image. Imagery and coloring are vivid. Overall very good and set in protective matte.