Sooty Tern by John James Audubon, 1827
Sooty Tern (Plate 235) is a masterfully crafted bird illustration by the renowned John James Audubon, created in 1827 as part of his epic “Birds of America” series. This piece captures the dynamic and graceful presence of the Sooty Tern, a bird notable for its elegance and aerodynamics, with lifelike precision.
Our online shop offers a high-quality fine art print of Sooty Tern on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas, ensuring the longevity and vibrancy of this revered illustration. The print is available in various sizes, with options for framing, personalization, and customization courtesy of The Unique Maps Co., making it a perfect addition to any art lover’s collection.
John James Audubon was an iconic naturalist and artist, admired for his monumental contributions to ornithology. His work focused on the life of birds with an unmatched dedication to accuracy and artistic finesse. The Sooty Tern illustration, specifically, showcases Audubon’s ability to bring his subjects to life, capturing their movement and individuality with such exquisite detail.
This artwork is notably derived from Audubon’s profound observations of bird species in their natural habitats, particularly as he documented them in the Tortugas. Rich in narrative and scientific insight, his depiction extends beyond mere illustration, providing a window into the unique behaviors and environments of the Sooty Tern.
The dominant natural hues of the painting—black, white, and subtle touches of browns—enrich the composition, allowing the bird’s features to stand out against the soft backdrop. The careful detailing of feathers and the tern’s poised demeanor offer tranquility and precision, inviting viewers to appreciate both the artwork’s beauty and its historical significance.
Sooty Tern makes an excellent gift for nature enthusiasts, art collectors, or anyone with a keen interest in ornithology. It is an ideal choice for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or housewarmings, providing joy with its elegance and detailed depiction of the avian world.
If you’re not sure what size to order, or you’re looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.
You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.
You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this art print.
I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn’t available online, please get in touch.
This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.
