Dress, unknown maker, American, circa 1880. Possibly made of imported wool, silk, linen and cotton.

BOSTON, MASS. – From June 8 to 30, Haley & Steele gallery will present an exhibition of 123 images from the John James Audubon publication of The Birds of America, Havell edition, Double Elephant Portfolio, 1826-1838.

The mammoth task of painting over 400 of North America’s birds took Audubon 20 years to complete. The engravings created from his monumental watercolors were finally printed and finished in England in 1838. It has been more than 20 years since an Audubon show of this magnitude has been mounted in a Boston gallery. Some of Audubon’s most beautiful images will be on display.

Audubon was born in 1785 in the French Indies, the son of a wealthy plantation owner. He spent his youth in France, and immigrated to America in his twenties. Settling in Pennsylvania, Audubon quickly fell under the spell of the beauty of the lands and animals populating the area. Although he made numerous attempts to fit into several conventional occupations, his preoccupation with the outdoors and natural history consumed him.

The gallery is at 91 Newbury Street. For information, 617-536-6339.