John James Audubon, Great American Cock Male (Wild Turkey), 1824-38, Hand-colored engraving

CHAMPAIGN, IL.- The Krannert Art Museum presents today Audubon at Illinois: Selections from the University Library's Birds of America, on view through May 24, 2009. The University Library owns one of only 120 existing complete sets of the original four-volume double-elephant folio of John James Audubon’s Birds of America (1827–1838), housed in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library. This is the first time since the Library Friends funded the 1988 restoration of the publication that a selection of the prints has been publicly displayed.

Chosen from among the 435 hand-colored engravings, the works in this exhibition highlight the artist’s mastery of ornithological drawing and chart the story of both familiar and uncommon but documented birds in Illinois. This exhibition also underscores that some species that once thrived in the state are now endangered, extinct, or struggle to survive in threatened habitats.

The exhibition was guest curated by Jo Kibbee. Sponsored in part by Jack and Kathy Chamblin; France@Illinois, Department of French; Office of the Chancellor, U of I; and the Office of the Provost and Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, U of I.

John James Audubon, Black-bellied Darter (Anhinga), 1833-36, Hand-colored engraving