John James Audubon—naturalist, artist, and creator of The Birds of America—is widely regarded as America’s first great watercolorist, but his artistic journey has never been examined. Art historian Roberta J. M. Olson explores how Audubon studied both past and concurrent artists to forge innovative works of fine art and delves into the contemporary controversies surrounding him. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)