John Audubon (1785 – 1851), whose surname became synonymous with birds, produced a prolific body of work, including over 435 paintings of birds. America’s dominant wildlife artist for half a century, Audubon’s childhood fascination with birds extended into his adulthood, and he spent days and weeks on the frontier, amassing an enormous portfolio of life-size bird drawings.source
A few Saturdays ago at a YouTube Live Stream of #metalsmafia, @theb3ar showed several bars that were intended to be melted for his silver art pours. Most of the generic bars he showed were common designs with the exception of one bar.
As he was showing this particular silver bar, I immediately recognized the design from an art exhibit that I attended while at college in San Francisco, California. I was about 20 years old then but still, can recall how much I admired the artist's paintings of birds in watercolor.
Upon seeing it, and without hesitation, I asked if the bar can be "saved" and reserved for me. @theb3ar readily agreed to set it aside.
This vintage silver bar is a depiction of, and a miniature replica of the painting "Great White Heron" of the renowned American wildlife artist John Audubon.
Reflecting John Audobon's deep love of birds and his concern for conservation, the Audubon Society was established in his name in the late 1800s, years after his death. His work remains the standard against which 20th and 21st-century bird artists are still measured.source
Thank you, @theb3ar, for gifting me this vintage Great White Heron silver bar. The silver bar is special to me. It now forms part of the memento of the many beautiful times of my college days.
