In the Footsteps of Audubon is primarily an art book but with a clear path – both metaphori-cally and physically. The artist follows, rather broadly, the journey made by John James Audubon through his life, visiting seven loca-tions, all of which were significant to him in some way or other. Each chapter sets the scene, both historically and contemporarily, with several pages of text and small sketches, fol-lowed by 20 or more pages of just art with cap-tions. There is a clear focus on nature – birds in particular – and landscapes, but observa-tions of important buildings and human actions also appear. The pencil-and-watercolour art has a raw, straight- from-the-field quality to it; this contrasts strongly with the Aubudon originals, which are scattered through the chapter openings and are stiff and over-finished in comparison.
I found this book to be both fascinating and beautiful, and the mix of history and art is likely to appeal to anyone with an interest in either subject.
Stephen Menzie
