“Plate 102 Blue Jay” is an illustration by John James Audubon, a prominent artist associated with the Naturalism art movement. This artwork is part of his renowned series “Birds of America,” which was published between 1827 and 1838. The genre of the artwork is illustration, showcasing Audubon’s dedication to the detailed and accurate depiction of avian subjects.
The artwork meticulously portrays three Blue Jays, scientifically known as Cyanocitta cristata, perched on and around a blossoming tree branch. Each bird is depicted in a distinct pose: one at the top consuming an acorn, another centrally positioned displaying its vivid blue plumage in mid-flight, and the third attentively perched on a lower branch. The intricacies of the birds’ feathers and the flora they interact with are rendered with precision, highlighting Audubon’s skill in both artistic and scientific observation. The vibrant colors and lifelike details exemplify the Naturalist movement, emphasizing the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
