Marsh Hare (Lepus palustris) by John Woodhouse Audubon, 1845

Lepus palustris, Marsh Hare. Natural size. by John Woodhouse Audubon (1845–1848) is a quintessential nineteenth-century natural-history study from the Victorian era. The American artist—heir to his family’s celebrated tradition of bird and wildlife portraiture—renders the marsh hare with life-size accuracy, situating it within its native wetland grasses. Created at a time when artists worked hand-in-hand with science, this image balances careful observation with artistry, preserving both the animal’s character and a faithful sense of habitat.

Offered here as a premium fine art print by The Unique Maps Co., this piece is available on museum-grade, acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes, add custom framing, and request personalized touches such as a caption, dedication, or title plate. Every print is produced with fade-resistant pigment inks for long-lasting color clarity and detail.

About the artist: John Woodhouse Audubon (1812–1862) continued the Audubon family’s commitment to documenting the natural world for study and appreciation. Known for field-based sketches and meticulous studio finishing, he brought a painter’s eye to zoological subjects, emphasizing anatomy, texture, and the lived environments of North American species. His work carries forward the fusion of fine art and scientific inquiry that defined his era.

About the subject: Here the animal appears under the historical name Lepus palustris—“Marsh Hare”—reflecting the period’s taxonomy and the nineteenth-century urge to classify and compare species. The “Natural size” presentation underscores Audubon’s dedication to scale and proportion, inviting viewers to examine the hare as if encountered in the field. Depicting a pair adds behavioral insight uncommon in earlier animal art, capturing alertness, caution, and quiet interaction before the age of nature photography.

Color, style, and why it belongs on your wall: The fur’s warm russet-orange tones and fine, stippled texture sit in dynamic contrast against lush green reeds and groundcover, with crisp white highlights bringing whiskers, underfur, and eye glints to life. Subtle light-and-shadow modeling gives the bodies a rounded, tactile presence, while the shallow foreground and softly suggested background create a believable marsh setting. The palette—earthy oranges, verdant greens, and clean whites—makes this print a versatile choice for interiors ranging from classic libraries to modern nature-inspired spaces.

This timeless naturalist illustration makes a thoughtful gift for wildlife lovers, natural-history buffs, Audubon admirers, and anyone who appreciates Victorian-era art. Perfect for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, a housewarming, or as a meaningful present for someone who has recently explored wetlands and coastal trails.

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.