Spermophilus macrourus, Large-tailed Spermophile. Male. Natural size. (1845) by John Woodhouse Audubon captures a quintessential moment in 19th-century natural history art, when accuracy and beauty were held in equal regard. The American artist-naturalist—renowned for lifelike wildlife studies—renders the large-tailed spermophile in a poised, alert stance, allowing viewers to appreciate the creature’s form, fur, and proportions. The “natural size” notation reflects the period’s scientific rigor, signaling that this image was measured from life or specimen and intended to educate as much as to delight. Produced in the mid-1840s, it belongs to the celebrated era when Audubon’s family workshop and collaborators were documenting North American fauna for a growing audience of scholars and enthusiasts.

This listing is for a museum-quality fine art print of the artwork, available on acid-free archival paper or on artist’s cotton canvas. Each piece is giclée printed for faithful color and line reproduction and offered in a range of sizes, from intimate study pieces to statement works for larger walls. The Unique Maps Co. can frame your print, add custom margins, and personalize titling or captions (including the Latin binomial), ensuring a tailored presentation that suits your space.

About the artist: John Woodhouse Audubon (1812–1862), son of John James Audubon, was a gifted painter and field observer who helped carry forward his family’s legacy of scientific illustration. His draftsmanship is marked by precision, subtle tonal modeling, and a sensitivity to posture and habitat—qualities that made his mammal studies especially prized among naturalists of the day. His contributions were central to the era’s shift toward empirically grounded depictions of wildlife.

About the subject: Spermophilus macrourus—known here by its period common name, the “large-tailed spermophile”—reflects 19th-century zoological taxonomy and language (spermophile, “seed‑lover”). Works like this expanded public knowledge of North American mammals at a time of accelerated exploration and collecting. The male specimen’s measured scale and careful anatomy speak to the educational intent of the plate, offering both a portrait and a record for study.

Color and design: The palette is richly earthy—warm orange-brown fur set against layered greens and mellow browns of ground and foliage. Fine, short strokes articulate the animal’s striped and textured coat, while broader, softly blended washes in the background recede gently, directing the eye toward the central figure. Smooth, organic lines trace grasses and leaves, suggesting a naturalistic setting without overcrowding the scene. The balanced contrast between the animal’s lit profile and the muted environment heightens clarity, making this an elegant focal point for a study, library, or living room.

This timeless natural history print makes a thoughtful gift for wildlife lovers, biologists and educators, and fans of Victorian zoological illustration. It’s a refined choice for birthdays, housewarmings, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, or to celebrate a friend’s return from travels in North America—an heirloom-quality piece that brings science, history, and art into harmonious focus.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.