Washington Sea Eagle

About this artwork

In 1814 artist and ornithologist John James Audubon first saw the elusive gigantic eagle he called "The Bird of Washington" flying along the bluffs of the upper Mississippi river, near the Great Lakes. Audubon documented four more sightings of this bird before finally acquiring a specimen. Larger than any known species of eagle found anywhere in the world, the eagle Audubon shot measured almost four feet tall, with a wingspan over ten feet wide. Due to its impressive size, Audubon immediately na...

Art Historical Context

John James Audubon, the renowned 19th-century ornithologist and artist, immortalized the majestic "Washington Sea Eagle" this captivating painting from around 1836-1839. First spotted in 1814 along the upper Mississippi River bl near the Great Lakes, this elusive bird—dubbed the "Bird of Washington" Audubon—sparked years of pursuit. After four sightings, he finally obtained a specimen measuring nearly four feet tall with a wingspan exceeding ten feet, larger than any known eagle worldwide. Audubon promptly named it *Falco washingtonii*, proclaiming it a new North American species in honor of the nation's founding father. Rendered in Audubon's signature style of dramatic, life-like naturalism, the artwork likely depicts the eagle soaring near a rugged coast with a sailing ship in view, blending wildlife portraiture with evocative seascapes. As part of his groundbreaking *Birds of America* project, such paintings elevated American ornithological art, showcasing birds at near life-size for unprecedented realism and scientific accuracy. Specimens of this eagle once adorned museums in Philadelphia, Boston, and London, fueling 19th-century fascination with North America's untamed wilderness. Today, housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum through a generous gift from Dr. S. Dillon Ripley II and Mary Livingston Ripley, *Washington Sea Eagle* reminds us of Audubon's blend of artistry and exploration, celebrating the grandeur of America's avian wonders.

About the Artist

John James Audubon · 1785–1851

American Naturalist, painter, and draughtsman of French–Creole descent. Brought up in a French village near Nantes, moved to and worked in the the United States.