Douglas’s Squirrel (Sciurus douglassii) by John Woodhouse Audubon, 1845

Sciurus Douglassii, Douglass’s Squirrel. Natural size. 1. Male, 2. Female. by John Woodhouse Audubon is a quintessential Victorian zoological illustration from 1845, created in the great American tradition of natural history art. John Woodhouse—son of the famed John James Audubon—brought the same rigor and field-born observation to mammals that his father brought to birds. Here, he renders Douglas’s squirrel at life size, keying male (1) and female (2) figures with scientific clarity and arranging them amid leaves and a textured tree trunk. The result is both an exacting species record and a quietly lyrical portrait of North American wildlife during an era of exploration and classification.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of the work, available on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Each print is color-matched to the original’s earthy palette—deep greens, warm browns, and soft grays—so the lifelike fur and foliage read with crisp detail against the white field. The Unique Maps Co. provides a range of sizes, from intimate study pieces to statement wall art, with optional framing, mounting, and UV-filter glazing. Personalization is welcome: add a period-style caption, plate title and date, or a dedication line to suit your collection or gift.

John Woodhouse Audubon (1812–1862) was a painter and field naturalist who helped extend the Audubon legacy from birds to mammals. As a principal artist behind mid-19th-century mammal plates, he combined on-the-ground observation with refined studio technique, producing images prized by scientists and collectors alike. His work helped shape how Americans saw their fauna—accurately, attentively, and with quiet wonder.

The subject here, Douglas’s squirrel, was labeled in period taxonomy as Sciurus douglassii (today commonly classified as Tamiasciurus douglasii). True to the era’s scientific purpose, the composition presents a natural-size pair with the male and female clearly distinguished by numerals, a practice that aided field identification and study. Plates like this were part of larger encyclopedic efforts to document North America’s biodiversity, reflecting the century’s rising interest in cataloging species and supporting early conservation-minded thinking.

Artistically, the sheet is a study in naturalistic restraint. Fine, hairlike strokes articulate the squirrels’ fur, moving from warm chestnut and russet highlights into cooler browns and soft gray shadows. The deep green of the leaves, veined with botanical precision, creates a calm counterpoint to the lively, climbing poses. The textured tree trunk lends depth and scale, while the clean, white ground keeps the focus on anatomy, gesture, and pattern. It’s a piece that bridges art and science—equally at home in a nature-inspired living room, a study, or a child’s science corner.

A thoughtful gift for lovers of wildlife art and the great outdoors, this print suits Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, housewarmings, graduations in the natural sciences, or as a memento for anyone enchanted by the forests of the American Pacific Northwest.

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.