Audubon's “Birds of America” (19th Century)

Blue jay specimen, eating other birds' eggs

John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a French-American naturist who developed a particular -and questionable, at least under my point of view- method for representing birds with extremely detailed illustrations in their natural habitats. This particular method consisted in killing the birds first with a very fine shot, using a special rifle to avoid damage the bodies. After that, he used wires and rigid metal bars to accommodate the bird in a natural position. This was a meticulous work: for a major specimen like an eagle, he would spend up to four 15-hour days, preparing, studying, and drawing it. His paintings of birds are set true-to-life in their natural habitat. He often portrayed them as if caught in motion, especially feeding or hunting. With the edition of his "Birds of America", published in 1842, he earned more than 30.000 dollars and around 1000 subscribers. With this money he bought an estate on the Hudson river, and for nearly 60 years a tract of land in upper Manhattan was known as Audubon Park...

Google Doodle published on google.com on April 26th this year to celebrate J.J. Audubon 226th birthday

Audubon soon reached a high popularity: King George IV was an avid fan of Audubon's pictures. Was ellected as fellow by the London's Royal Society -second north american at Royal Society after Benjamin Franklin-. Charles Darwin quoted Audubon in his "On the Origin of Species". And continues in our days: last December 2010, a copy of "Birds of America" was sold at a Sotheby's auction for $11.5 million. On 26 April this year, Google celebrated his 226th birthday by displaying a special Google Doodle dedicated to J.J. Audubon.

J.J. Audubon with his special rifle, painting by John Syme

Yellow crowned night heron and little blue heron. This painting now hangs in the US White House.

Rough legged hawk

White pelican

Snowy owl

Ars moriendi ("The Art of Dying"), 15th Century

Demons tempt the dying man with crowns (a medieval allegory to earthly pride) under the disapproving gaze of Mary, Christ and God.

Believe it or not, this codex provides protocols and procedures for a good death, explaining how to die well according to Christian precepts of the late Middle Ages. Hard to believe, but has an explanation: this amazing codex was written under influence and historical context of the effects of the Black Death which was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history caused by the bacteria “Yersinia Pestis”. Consequence: around 40% of total Europe population died in less than 2 years, between 1348 and 1350. Author of this book is unknown, theories point to a Dominican friar in Germany.

The book has the following chapters: 1) First chapter explains that dying has a good side, and serves to console the dying man that death is not something to be afraid of. 2) Second chapter outlines the five temptations that beset a dying man, and how to avoid them (lack of faith, despair, impatience, spiritual pride and avarice). 3) Third chapter lists the seven questions to ask a dying man. 4) Fourth chapter expresses the need to imitate Christ's life. 5) Fifth chapter addresses the friends and family, outlining the general rules of behavior at the deathbed. 6) Sixth chapter includes appropriate prayers to be said for a dying man.

Appropriate prayers to be said for a dying man (6th Chapter)

Representation of avarice temptation