John James Audubon “Tawny Lemming, Back’s Lemming”, 1847 Original Hand Colored Lithograph from the Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, Imperial Bowen Edition

An original hand-colored lithograph titled “Tawny Lemming, Back’s Lemming” (Plate CX) from The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, drawn by John James Audubon and published by J.T. Bowen in Philadelphia in 1847 as part of the esteemed Imperial Bowen Edition.

This engaging composition portrays two species of lemmings on a rocky hillside overlooking a distant mountain valley. Rendered with Audubon’s characteristic precision and sensitivity, the scene captures the quiet vitality of these small Arctic mammals within their natural habitat. The luminous hand-coloring, applied to each sheet individually, brings warmth and dimension to the soft fur textures and the verdant landscape beyond.

Presented in a gilt wood frame and single matted under glass. In nice antique condition consistent with age, showing scattered foxing and light toning typical of original mid-19th-century prints. A fine and authentic example from the Imperial folio edition of Audubon’s Quadrupeds, prized for its scale, artistry, and historical importance. 28h x 33w x 1d