Grey Fox (Canis (Vulpes) Virginianus) by John Woodhouse Audubon, 1845

Canis (Vulpes) Virginianus, Grey Fox (1845) by John Woodhouse Audubon captures one of North America’s most elusive woodland mammals with poised intensity and meticulous naturalism. Created in the mid-nineteenth century at the height of the era’s fascination with cataloging the natural world, this Victorian zoological illustration balances scientific clarity with lifelike observation: the fox stands alert amid leaf-litter and low foliage, its body curved in a poised, almost springing stance that suggests quiet motion through the underbrush.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print produced by The Unique Maps Co., available on luxurious, acid-free archival paper or textured artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes, with optional professional framing and conservation matting to suit your space. We also offer tasteful personalization—custom captions, dedication lines, or date notations—so your piece arrives ready to hang or gift, tailored precisely to your style.

John Woodhouse Audubon (1812–1862), son of the famed John James Audubon, was a gifted naturalist-artist whose fieldwork and draftsmanship helped define American wildlife art. Working closely with his father and naturalist John Bachman on The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, he brought to life the mammals of the continent with a fidelity that served both science and art. His hand-colored lithographs are prized today for their anatomical accuracy, expressive poses, and rich, carefully modulated palettes.

This particular study is notable for its period-correct title—Canis (Vulpes) Virginianus—reflecting the older Latinized conventions common to nineteenth-century zoological publishing. Today, the gray fox is widely known by its modern scientific name, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, and by its common name, gray fox. Audubon’s plate honors the species as an agile, woodland-adapted canid, pairing close observation of form and behavior with the educational ambitions that propelled nineteenth-century natural history illustration.

A refined, earth-toned palette gives the image warmth and depth: sunlit oranges and golden yellows in the grasses and leaves play against the fox’s silvery grays and soft whites, while nuanced browns ground the scene. Fine, feathery strokes articulate the fur one hair at a time, and the fox’s elegant S-curve tail contrasts with the angular leaf shapes and textured ground. The result is a composition that reads crisply from across the room but rewards up-close viewing with extraordinary detail—an ideal statement piece for a study, library, nature-inspired living room, or cabin retreat.

Thoughtful and timeless, this print makes a superb gift for wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists, and lovers of American art. It’s perfect for Christmas, birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or a housewarming—especially for anyone who treasures woodland walks, national park adventures, or a connection to North America’s native fauna.

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.