Mexican Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus mexicanus) by John Woodhouse Audubon, 1845 newham Transparent glazes and deft highlights

Transparent glazes and deft highlights turn the water’s surface into a shifting mirror

while its toponymy and borderwork reflect the political claims of the year it depicts

pulsing against glimmering sky blues and cobalt undertones

also known as the Imago Mundi

evident in the crisp lines and detailed illustrations

Mexican Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus mexicanus) by John Woodhouse Audubon, 1845 newham Transparent glazes and deft highlightsSpermophilus Mexicanus, Mexican Marmot Squirrel. Male. Natural size. (18451848) by John Woodhouse Audubon is a quintessential Victorian zoological illustration from the golden age of natural history. Created in 1845 during the period when North American fauna was being documented with unprecedented rigor, Audubon portrays the socalled Mexican marmot squirrel in crisp profile, capturing the species posture, proportions, and character with scientific