Institute de France

These are the most accurate renderings of Audubon`s great national work ever created using old world techniques and methods completely faithful to the original hand colored engravings produced by Lizar and Havell in the early 1800`s - over 170 years ago!

An Original Hand Colored Copper Plate Engraving, these watercolors are known as "The Institute de France Edition". Produced in a limited edition of only 300, each is on the highest quality, watermarked B.F.K. Rives cotton rag paper and measures an impressive 41.5 x 29.5 inches. Each spectacular image is individually numbered and embossed with the Institute de France edition seal.

A rare opportunity in the world of Audubon Art as we believe that this superb hand colored edition will soon be recognized not only as a true classic fine art work in it's own right, but also as the finest recreation of Audubon's work ever attempted - and achieved.

The 19th century plates were engraved by William Lizar in Edinburg, Scotland and Havell and Son in London, England. After printing them from the copper plates, Havell had the prints meticulously hand colored, which accounts for the extraordinary range of palette and color so desirable today. This edition 'Institute de France' was also hand colored and the results achieved are equally spectacular.

When this project was first envisioned, the use of some of the original plates was considered. That was decided against as most of the plates had been destroyed. Many of the plates found their way to the bottom of the New York harbor after a fire broke out in a warehouse where they were stored. Others were damaged irreparably in the blaze, and the remaining plates were sold for scrap. Those that survived were widely distributed throughout the world rendering them virtually inaccessible.

Realistically, however, any of these surviving plates would probably be in such poor condition that to use them would require re-etching or re-engraving which would immediately, and by definition, change the original state of the art produced from them.

Furthermore, any plates deemed usable might also be so well worn that retouching some of the minor lines and major lines would be required, and this too would alter the state of the engraved images produced from them. It was decided, therefore, that the most effective way to accomplish the goal was by creating new copperplate engravings.

These superb copperplate engravings were created in conjunction with the prestigious 'Institute de France' using as models one of the most exquisite complete sets of Audubon`s original engravings in mint condition in existence - the set belonging to the "Institute de France."

No expense was spared in the undertaking of this ambitious project. The greatest master engraver of the 20th century was entrusted to produce this stunning masterpiece as the art of hand made copper plate engravings is certainly considered by many today to be quite literally almost a lost art in itself.

The images offered in this edition were engraved by master engraver Jacque David, and meticulously hand colored by fourth generation colorist, Jacomet, both in Paris. Each engraved line and applied color has been painstakingly approved under the supervision of the 'Institute de France', hence the naming of this edition as such, and this has led to what we believe is the finest hand colored copper plate modern rendering of Audubon's great work now available.

Each print carries in the bottom left corner the same credit to Audubon as found on the original engravings. On the right bottom corner is the credit for the engraver " Engraved by Jacque David-1987" and to the colorist " Colored by Jacomet-Paris". This distinguishes this work as both unique and authentic in itself, so as not to be confused with the originals.