Artist/Maker John James Audubon (1785 – 1851)

Studies of Two Bats and a Bat Ear

1842

Place madeNew York, United States, North America

Watercolor, graphite, pastel, black ink with scratching out on paper

Overall: 19 x 11 7/8 in. ( 48.3 x 30.1 cm )

Z.3299

DescriptionDrawings of the back view of a male bat and side view of female bat crawling, from live specimens of the species Audubon called Vespertilio crepuscularis, perhaps the little brown bat. Included on this page is a tiny, very detailed, graphite drawing of the head and ear structure of this bat. Formerly S-16.

InscribedInscribed at middle left in graphite: "Female.--"; at lower left: "New York Jan y 13th 1842 -- /from Specimens rec' alive / from J. Bachman, / J.J.A"; in upper right: "Male.-- / Length of Body 2 Inches 2/12. / Tail--1--" 3/12-- / extent.--9--"--2/12-- / outward distance of Ears 10/12-- / Weight 86 Grains--"; below: "Vespertilio crepuscularis, Le Conte!"; below graphite sketch of ear: "Ear--"

ClassificationsDRAWINGS