The artwork titled “Plate 173 Barn Swallow” was created by John James Audubon as part of the “Birds of America 1827-1838” series. This piece exemplifies the Naturalism art movement and falls under the genre of illustration.
The artwork depicts a vivid, lifelike representation of a pair of barn swallows. The birds are shown perched on the edge of their meticulously crafted nest, constructed with great detail from twigs, mud, and other nesting materials. One swallow appears to be adjusting or bringing materials to the nest, while the other watches attentively. The colors in the artwork are rich and naturalistic, capturing the iridescence of the swallows’ feathers and the textures of their environment with great precision and care. The background is kept simple, placing full emphasis on the subjects, and contributing to the overall scientific and illustrative purpose of the piece.
