Alexander Wilson

American, 1766 - 1813

Explore selected works

The image shows four birds in various positions on tree branches and the ground. A gray and brown bird sits centrally on a branch, with a smaller bird below it. Another bird with vivid blues and yellows perches on the same branch below the central bird, while a yellow and brown bird is perched higher on another branch. The color palette includes earthy tones and vibrant blues, yellows, and reds. The birds are distributed in different areas of the image, with the gray and brown bird dominating the center, the blue-yellow bird below it, and the other two birds positioned higher and lower on separate branches.
Alexander Lawson, Carolina Cuckoo, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, and Yellow Red-poll Warbler, published 1808-1814, hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper, Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1991.163.12

Carolina Cuckoo, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, and Yellow Red-poll Warbler

Alexander Lawson · published 1808-1814 · hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.163.12

This is a painting of three birds - a pigeon and two smaller birds. The illustration shows a large pigeon perched on a tree stump with detailed plumage of blue, brown, and gray, and a reddish eye. In the foreground, two smaller birds are perched on a branch with bright yellow feathers and black and white accents on their wings and backs. The leaves on the branch are green. The composition and detail reflect a realistic and scientific approach to ornithological illustration.
John G. Warnicke, Passenger Pigeon, Blue-mountain Warbler, and Hemlock Warbler, published 1808-1814, hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper, Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1991.163.13

Passenger Pigeon, Blue-mountain Warbler, and Hemlock Warbler

John G. Warnicke · published 1808-1814 · hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.163.13

The image shows four birds. The largest bird is black with red and yellow accents, flying at the top. Below, a starling with a speckled brown and black pattern is perched on a tree stump. Next to it is a smaller bird with white, black, and yellow colors. Further down, there is a bird with a red crown, pink chest, and brown and white back. The color palette includes black, red, brown, white, yellow, and pink. The birds are positioned with the flying black bird at the top, the starling on the left of the stump, the smaller bird on the right of the stump, and the bird with the red crown near a small patch of grass at the bottom.
Alexander Lawson, Red-winged Starling, Female Red-winged Starling, Black-poll Warbler, and Lesser Red-poll, published 1808-1814, hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper, Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1991.163.10

Red-winged Starling, Female Red-winged Starling, Black-poll Warbler, and Lesser Red-poll

Alexander Lawson · published 1808-1814 · hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.163.10

The image shows a passenger pigeon perched on a tree stump in the foreground. Two smaller birds, a blue mountain warbler and a hemlock warbler, are on a branch behind the pigeon.
John G. Warnicke, Passenger Pigeon, Blue-mountain Warbler, and Hemlock Warbler, published 1808-1814, hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper, Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1991.163.101

Passenger Pigeon, Blue-mountain Warbler, and Hemlock Warbler

John G. Warnicke · published 1808-1814 · hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.163.101

This is a painting of three different bird species. The central bird is a pinnated grouse with intricate feather patterns and a yellow-orange spot on its neck. Above this bird, two smaller birds can be seen; one is a blue-grey bird, the blue-grey warbler, with distinct wing patterns, and the other is a small yellow-green bird, the Nashville warbler. In the background, there are subtle details of a pair of birds in a marshy area with water. The style resembles that of John James Audubon, known for detailed depictions of birds in their natural habitats.
Alexander Lawson, Pinnated Grous, Blue-green Warbler, and Nashville Warbler, published 1808-1814, hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper, Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1991.163.11

Pinnated Grous, Blue-green Warbler, and Nashville Warbler

Alexander Lawson · published 1808-1814 · hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.163.11

This is a drawing of various bird species along a body of water. The drawing portrays four birds standing on the ground next to water, with grasses around them. The birds are distinct, with unique colors and features. On the left stands a large bird with white plumage, gray-blue face, and long, yellow legs and bill. The two central birds are flamingos, one vibrant red with a prominent beak, and the other also red, bent over. To the right, a smaller white bird with subtle black and red accents stands with its long bill slightly curved. In the background, a lake stretches out, bordered by a horizon of distant land under a sky with clouds.
John G. Warnicke, Wood Ibis, Scarlet Ibis, Flamingo, and White Ibis, published 1808-1814, hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper, Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1991.163.106

Wood Ibis, Scarlet Ibis, Flamingo, and White Ibis

John G. Warnicke · published 1808-1814 · hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.163.106

This is a painting of a collection of birds standing near a body of water. The painting depicts four different bird species positioned on the ground near the water's edge. The largest bird, a crane, stands prominently with elongated legs and neck, its feathers detailed in white and grayish shades. Accompanying the crane is a heron with a slender body and pointed beak, showcased by its distinctive blue and white plumage. A black and white oystercatcher is also present, distinguishable by its bright red legs and beak. The fourth bird, a long-billed curlew, is portrayed with brown and tan patterning on its feathers and a notably long, curved bill. The background displays a serene lake with gentle ripples, set against a landscape of distant hills and soft, cloud-filled skies. This is in style of John James Audubon.
John G. Warnicke, Louisiana Heron, Pied Oyster-catcher, Hooping Crane, and Long-billed Curlew, published 1808-1814, hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper, Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1991.163.32

Louisiana Heron, Pied Oyster-catcher, Hooping Crane, and Long-billed Curlew

John G. Warnicke · published 1808-1814 · hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.163.32

This painting depicts four different species of herons together. The birds are detailed in appearance, showcasing their distinct features and plumage colors. One heron has white plumage and an orange beak, standing on the left. Another heron with turquoise body and chestnut chest is perched on a branch to the right. A dark-capped heron with gray and black wing pattern is shown below, facing the viewer. There is a heron with brown speckles and a red eye under the tall heron. The background features grass, water, and distant landforms, emphasizing the birds. The style is similar to John James Audubon's accurate bird depictions.
John G. Warnicke, Green Heron, Night Heron, Young Heron, and Great White Heron, published 1808-1814, hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper, Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1991.163.31

Green Heron, Night Heron, Young Heron, and Great White Heron

John G. Warnicke · published 1808-1814 · hand-colored engraving with etching on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.163.31

Three large birds and one insect are shown in the image, with a set of four eggs placed vertically on the right side. The birds have predominantly gray plumage with darker wings and white accents. One bird has a black head with orange details. The color palette consists of earthy tones such as greens, browns, and hints of yellow. The largest bird is centrally positioned, sitting on a diagonal branch with its head facing the right. A smaller bird above it is facing left, seemingly pecking at an insect. On the right, a colorful bird with a yellow underbelly faces left next to the eggs. Another bird sits on a blue-tinted branch at the lower left, facing right.
Alexander Lawson, Five Birds with Their Eggs and an Insect, published 1808/1814, color etching, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, 1973.26.35

Five Birds with Their Eggs and an Insect

Alexander Lawson · published 1808/1814 · color etching ·  Accession ID  1973.26.35