“Trumpeter Swan,” a plate in Audubon’s Birds of America series, has garnered accolades from the moment it was created in 1838. Its beauty, size and exceptional colouring make it one of the most prized plates in the collection.
The trumpeter swan is an elegant and impressive creature, the largest waterfowl native to North America. Audubon, who took great care to represent the birds in their true size, faced a real challenge to portray a bird as large as the trumpeter swan, even on “double elephant folio” paper, which measures approximately 100 cm by 70 cm.
This plate portrays an adult male swan with the characteristics typical of the species: a long, delicate neck and a large body with dense, pure-white plumage. The composition of the plate shows the trumpeter swan floating on calm water, having caught sight of an insect moving along the surface. Its gracefully curved neck allows the bird to catch its food, primarily aquatic insects, small reptiles and vegetation. Its distinctive call makes a deep, rich sound, like that of a trumpet, hence the name “trumpeter swan.”
Because its magnificent plumage was highly sought after for hats and other fashion accessories beginning in the 17th century, the trumpeter swan was overhunted. By the 19th century, it became difficult to observe any, as they had become endangered. Fortunately, conservation efforts made in the early 21st century allowed the species to escape extinction.
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