Birding at the Museum: Artists Behind the Dioramas

Long before sophisticated wildlife photography, artists in the field captured the color and movement of birds for the background paintings of the Museum's dioramas. Similarly, bird taxidermists studied their subjects' anatomy and behavior to achieve a natural effect, most dramatically in flight. Here, long-time exhibition artist Stephen C. Quinn explores the work of painters Louis Agassiz Fuertes and Francis Lee Jacques and taxidermist David Schwendeman.
Episode 1: Birding at the Museum: Frank Chapman and the Dioramas
• Birding at the Museum:...
Episode 2: Birding at the Museum: Dioramas and Conservation
• Birding at the Museum:...
Episode 3: Birding at the Museum: Artists Behind the Dioramas
• Birding at the Museum:...
Episode 4: Birding at the Museum: A Tour with Stephen C. Quinn
• Birding at the Museum:...
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VIDEO CREDITS:
MUSIC
"Missive Accomplished" by Ken Lewis and Scott Dente
and Blair Masters-Warner Chappell Production Music
"Migrations" by Stefanie Fife and Vincent Cirilli-
Warner Chappell Production Music
"Freefall" by Jim Jammy and Roger Dodgers-
Warner Chappell Production Music
PHOTOGRAPHY
AMNH/D. Finnin
AMNH/Library Archives
RESEARCH
Dale Dancis
Elena Sansalone
VIDEO
AMNH/J. Bauerle and E. Chapman
Susan Sfarra

[@AmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory]

Long before sophisticated wildlife photography, artists in the field captured the color and movement of birds for the background paintings of the Museum’s dioramas. Similarly, bird taxidermists studied their subjects’ anatomy and behavior to achieve a natural effect, most dramatically in flight.

[@t.l.5481]

Excellant video - so interesting and beautiful !

[@paintriarchdave7977]

I wanted to do this for a living but then realized most of these artist have doctorate degrees and I just like to paint and tattoo.

[@TheGroundedAviator]

For what it's worth that Moa is a model... they died out 5/600 years ago from over hunting, de-forestation and rats.

[@Sara3346]

Yes but don't we have enough naturally preserved mummies to make incredibly accurate models?

[@TheGroundedAviator]

@@Sara3346 Sorry for the late reply!
I've seen the mummies and trust me, they won't work! They are a possible candidate for de-extinction, but personally I'm opposed too it.
Maori myth ain't much help either, most came after the fossils were found and in fact it seems they were entirely forgotten and the "myths" were made too please eager fools as much of them didn't support established scientific facts.

[@Sara3346]

@@TheGroundedAviator Assuming for a second that you were not opposed to it why do think they wouldn't work for DNA preservation?
Why are you opposed anyway?

[@TheGroundedAviator]

@@Sara3346 Some bones are young enough for DNA.
I'm simply against it for the notion of rather spending the money on what is still alive.

[@Sara3346]

@@TheGroundedAviator Spending money on multiple projects is a thing governments can do though?
If successful I imagine it would probably be great for lots of floral species too given its a major chunk of an ecosystem thats been replaced with what strike me as much more aggressive animals.
I think there's a real argument to be made for such projects benefiting from each other.

[@gerardoantonioescobar1829]

I need to know how in this world they made that OoO