Ducks

Bunner employed soft graphite to achieve a range of tonal gradations, avoiding harsh outlines in favor of blended contours that mimic the texture of feathers and wet grass. His lines are loose yet deliberate, capturing the weight and posture of the birds without rigid detail. This approach contrasts with the more formalized engraving techniques common in scientific illustration of the period.

The drawing is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Bunner studied under John James Audubon, though his style diverges from Audubon’s dramatic, posed compositions. His work reflects a quieter, more intimate mode of observation, rooted in field studies rather than studio reconstruction, aligning with emerging naturalist practices of the late 19th century.

In the decades following Audubon’s death, American artists increasingly turned to direct observation of nature over idealized or staged representations. Bunner’s drawings reflect this shift, aligning with the growing interest in ecological realism. His focus on everyday wildlife in unposed settings mirrors broader cultural movements toward conservation and scientific accuracy in art.

Bunner’s Ducks exemplifies a transition in American drawing—from ornamental naturalism toward empathetic, observational realism. While not widely known today, his work contributes to a quieter lineage of nature study that prioritized authenticity over spectacle. The drawing remains a quiet testament to the value of patient, firsthand engagement with the natural world.