Arctomys flaviventer, Yellow-bellied Marmot. Male. Natural size. by John Woodhouse Audubon (1845) is a quintessential 19th-century naturalist illustration, rendered with the quiet drama and measured precision that defined the era’s great wildlife studies. Created at a time when exploration and taxonomy captivated the public imagination, this Victorian zoological plate captures the yellow-bellied marmot at life scale, its stance and anatomy recorded with field-observer fidelity. The work belongs to the broader Audubon tradition—careful, empirical, and deeply appreciative of the living world—bridging art and science in a way that still feels fresh and revelatory.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of Audubon’s illustration, reproduced with exceptional detail on your choice of acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. The Unique Maps Co. produces each print to order in a range of sizes (faithful to the original proportions), with optional framing to arrive ready to hang. Personalization and customization are available—add a discreet caption, adjust margins, or select a frame profile to suit your space.

John Woodhouse Audubon (1812–1862), son and close collaborator of John James Audubon, was a distinguished American natural history artist in his own right. Working in the mid-19th century, he contributed significantly to the celebrated tradition of documenting North American fauna through on-site study and finely observed draftsmanship. His work reflects the period’s surge of scientific curiosity, when illustrated plates served not only as artworks but also as essential tools for education and classification.

The subject here—the yellow-bellied marmot—was originally labeled Arctomys flaviventer, a period-accurate scientific name for a species now recognized as Marmota flaviventris. Native to the mountainous West, this sturdy ground-dweller thrives among rocky meadows and alpine grasslands. By presenting the animal at natural size, Audubon underscores its physical presence and proportions, an approach that assisted 19th-century scholars and enthusiasts in identification at a glance. The landscape elements—tufts of meadow grass, a suggestion of rock and slope—enrich the ecology of the scene, grounding the marmot in its true habitat.

Visually, the plate balances vivid realism with a painter’s sensitivity. The marmot’s fur is rendered in lush, tactile layers—warm russet and orange-gold along the belly meeting earthier browns across the back—set against natural greens that cue its alpine surroundings. Subtle highlights and soft-edged transitions in the background create a calm, airy gradient that lets the animal command attention without harsh contrast. It is easy to see why collectors and nature lovers prize these works: the palette of orange, green, and quiet white accents reads both contemporary and timeless, making this piece as suited to a study or library as to a bright, modern living room.

This fine art print makes an inspired gift for anyone drawn to wildlife, natural history, and American art—perfect for Christmas, birthdays, Father’s or Mother’s Day, or as a thoughtful housewarming present. It’s also a meaningful memento for hikers and travelers returning from the Rockies and the mountain West, a handsome reminder of alpine mornings and the lively creatures that inhabit them.

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.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.