Sewellel (Aplodontia leporina) by John Woodhouse Audubon, 1845

Aplodontia leporina, The Sewellel. Male. Natural size. by John Woodhouse Audubon (1845–1848) is a quintessential Victorian natural history illustration from the golden age of scientific exploration. The son of famed ornithologist John James Audubon, John Woodhouse brought the family’s painterly eye and field experience to the mammalian world, creating plates that were both educational and exquisitely composed. Here, the sewellel—an early name for the animal we now commonly call the mountain beaver—is rendered at life size, set against a rocky, grassed foreground that roots the study in its native habitat. The work exemplifies the period’s pursuit of accuracy through color lithography while retaining a refined, gallery-worthy elegance.

This listing offers a museum-grade fine art print of Audubon’s plate, reproduced with exceptional fidelity. Choose from acid-free archival paper with a gentle, matte finish or richly textured artist’s cotton canvas; both are printed with long-lasting pigment inks. Multiple sizes are available, from intimate study to statement scale, with optional framing and matting to suit your space. The Unique Maps Co. can personalize your piece with custom captions, dates, dedication lines, or a tailored border design—perfect for creating a one-of-a-kind gift or heirloom.

John Woodhouse Audubon (1812–1862) was a painter, naturalist, and tireless field observer who collaborated on the landmark series devoted to North American quadrupeds. Working in the wake of his father’s epoch-defining bird studies, he helped elevate mammal portraiture to the same scientific and artistic standard. His plates are prized for their lifelike modeling, balanced compositions, and a scholar’s sensitivity to anatomy—qualities all on display in this measured portrayal of the sewellel.

The subject itself is notable: titled Aplodontia leporina, The Sewellel, the plate documents a lesser-known North American rodent, depicted with the clarity necessary for 19th-century zoological study. While the historical label reads Aplodontia leporina, the animal is today widely known as the mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa), a distinctive species of the Pacific Northwest. The designation “Male. Natural size.” underscores the scientific purpose of the plate—inviting the viewer to compare real-world scale and proportion while appreciating the artist’s exacting draftsmanship.

Color and design are handled with sober beauty. Warm russet and orange-brown tones articulate the animal’s dense coat, subtly graded to reveal volume and musculature. Mossy greens and earthen textures in the grasses and rock add depth, while the crisp white of the sheet preserves the clarity of a field note. Smoothly blended fur contrasts with the sharper, angular rendering of stone, guiding the eye across the composition and heightening the sense of a creature perfectly adapted to its environment. As wall art, it harmonizes effortlessly with neutral palettes, natural woods, and organic textiles—ideal for studies, libraries, and nature-inspired interiors.

This elegant Audubon print makes a thoughtful gift for wildlife lovers, naturalists, and anyone with ties to the Pacific Northwest—an inspired choice for Christmas, Mother’s or Father’s Day, birthdays, housewarmings, or to welcome home a friend returning from travels in the region.

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.