Joel Oppenheimer, Inc.

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Joel Oppenheimer, Inc. Natural history art gallery featuring Audubon, Redoute, etc. Art conservation, archival framing, and

Five remarkable birds. Five enduring Audubon portraits.The elegance of the great blue heron. The sculptural presence of ...
10/05/2026

Five remarkable birds. Five enduring Audubon portraits.

The elegance of the great blue heron. The sculptural presence of the American white pelican. The penetrating gaze of the great horned owl. The bold markings of the pileated woodpecker. The magnificent plumage of the wild turkey.

These selections from Audubon’s First Edition Octavo bring together some of his most compelling subjects. Each original, hand-colored lithograph combines close observation with a sense of drama that continues to draw us into the lives of birds more than 180 years later.

Swipe to explore:
• Plate 369 · Great Blue Heron
• Plate 422 · American White Pelican
• Plate 39 · Great Horned Owl
• Plate 257 · Pileated Woodpecker
• Plate 287 · Wild Turkey

Which would you most like to encounter in the wild?

Explore the collection at audubonart.com.

10/01/2026

A remarkable collection takes flight today! We are excited to announce the arrival of all 500 of Audubon's First Edition original prints.

Audubon’s First Edition Octavo Edition brought The Birds of America to a wider audience through 500 original, hand-colored lithographs. More than 180 years later, some subjects are encountered with relative frequency, while others appear only rarely.

The collection is now available at audubonart.com.

Every Print, Colored by Hand. The rich color in Audubon’s original Octavo prints was applied with a brush, one impressio...
09/29/2026

Every Print, Colored by Hand.

The rich color in Audubon’s original Octavo prints was applied with a brush, one impression at a time. Skilled colorists worked in teams, adding watercolor to the printed lines and shading. Subtle variations in their work give individual impressions their own character.

Look closely: there is as much to appreciate in the making as in the birds themselves.

Something Brilliant Is Landing. A new flock of original, hand-colored Audubon Octavos arrives October 1.

Follow us for the first arrivals.
audubonart.com

09/27/2026

500 plates. One extraordinary edition.

Audubon’s First Royal Octavo Edition expanded The Birds of America to 500 hand-colored lithographs. From familiar backyard birds to striking owls, herons, and hummingbirds, the edition rewards both a sweeping glance and a closer look.

This is just a glimpse of its remarkable variety. Which bird caught your eye?

A new flock of original first-edition Octavos lands October 1 at audubonart.com. Follow us for the first arrivals!

Have you noticed new birds in your neighborhood?From Canada geese overhead to juncos beneath the feeder, fall brings a c...
09/25/2026

Have you noticed new birds in your neighborhood?

From Canada geese overhead to juncos beneath the feeder, fall brings a changing cast of familiar birds. Some are heading south; others are arriving to spend the winter.

These five birds also appear in Audubon’s first Octavo Edition, where delicate lithographic detail and hand-applied color reward a closer look.

A special flock of original Audubon Octavos arrives October 1. Follow along for the first arrivals!

Which birds have you spotted this fall?

audubonart.com

09/24/2026

A heavyweight of natural history. 🐻

We’re celebrating Fat Bear Week with a nineteenth-century contender: Grizzly Bear, Plate 131, from Audubon’s The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. This original hand-colored lithograph brings a little historical grandeur to one of our favorite wildlife celebrations.

Would this bear get your vote?

09/23/2026

Printed from stone. Colored by hand.

Creating Audubon’s first Octavo Edition required extraordinary care at a smaller scale. His bird compositions were reduced and adapted, transferred to lithographic stones, and printed in J. T. Bowen’s Philadelphia workshop. Colorists then applied watercolor by hand, bringing plumage, plants, and landscapes to life.

Look closely, and each print reveals the craftsmanship behind this remarkable edition of The Birds of America.

More of Audubon’s remarkable birds arrive this October. Follow us so you don’t miss their arrival!

09/19/2026

Eye to eye with a red-shouldered hawk.

As the view widens, Audubon’s Virginian Partridge reveals a covey caught in a moment of alarm. Adults take flight while the youngest birds huddle below. We admire the hawk’s power even as we fear for the small birds beneath it.

This original, hand-colored Havell Edition impression is now available.

Bring the drama of Audubon home. Explore through the link in our bio.

Audubon’s original Birds of America was monumental in every sense. Printed on Double Elephant Folio sheets measuring rou...
09/12/2026

Audubon’s original Birds of America was monumental in every sense. Printed on Double Elephant Folio sheets measuring roughly 39 × 26 inches, it was designed to show many birds at or near life size. Audubon also recognized that its scale and cost made it impractical for most collectors.

The Royal Octavo Edition offered a smaller, more accessible format. “Octavo” is a bookmaking term referring to a sheet folded to create eight leaves, or sixteen pages. But Audubon’s images were not simply reduced. Compositions were often rearranged, simplified, or reworked to suit the smaller page, creating a distinct edition of 500 hand-colored lithographs.

This fall, we’ll be taking a closer look at more of these birds and sharing how the Royal Octavo Edition was made.

09/10/2026

If you’re spending the day in downtown Chicago, come discover a quieter side of the city.

Oppenheimer Gallery is tucked inside the historic Medinah Temple, just a few blocks west of the Magnificent Mile. Step inside to see rare original works by John James Audubon, museum-authorized editions, botanical art, and other remarkable works of natural history up close.

Whether you’re a longtime collector, an art lover, or simply curious, we’d be happy to welcome you in.

Oppenheimer Gallery
10 E Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM

Come wander the gallery and see what catches your eye.

Address

10 E Ohio Street
Chicago, IL
60611

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

(312) 642-5300

Website

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