(New York, 1785-1851) Golden Eagle, Aquila Chrysaetos, Plate CLXXXI, Variant I, from The Birds of America, London, 1827-1838, Havell edition, handcolored engraving with etching and aquatint on wove paper with watermark for "J. Whatman/ Turkey Mill/1834", 37-7/8 x 25-1/8 in. (plate); modern frame slightly uneven trim at right edge, light tonin, small edge tears, printing crease bottom center, hinged in; frame with abrasions. Notes: It is thought that Golden Eagle was inspired by the painting by Jacques Louis David, Napoleon Crossing the Saint Bernard. When Audubon painted the eagle in 1833, he had never seen any dramatic mountains like those in the background. Historians believe that Audubon probably remembered the David painting from seeing one of three originals in the house of Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleon’s elder brother) in Point Breeze, New Jersey. Rhodes, Richard. John James Audubon – The Making of an American. 2004. Knopf. New York. (p. 376 and two color plates). Steiner, Bill. Audubon Art Prints – A collector’s Guide to Every Edition. 2003. Columbia. University of South Carolina Press.. Provenance: Private Collection slightly uneven trim at right edge, light tonin, small edge tears, printing crease bottom center, hinged in; frame with abrasions