John James Audubon—naturalist, artist, and creator of the celebrated The Birds of America—is widely regarded as America’s first great watercolorist, but his artistic journey has never been examined.

Roberta J. M. Olson, curator of drawings emerita at the New-York Historical Society, professor of art history emeritus at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, and author of Audubon as Artist: A New Look at The Birds of America, explores how Audubon studied both past and concurrent artists to forge innovative, dazzling works of fine art. Olson delves into the contemporary controversies surrounding this legendary figure, who, for the first time in history, accurately represented all avian species life-size and was an early advocate for conservation of the environment and wildlife.

Smithsonian Associates presents a Zoom presentation with Roberta Olson on September 18 at noon Eastern. $20 for Smithsonian members, $25 for nonmembers. Register at https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/audubon-redrawn