IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Albert Earl Gilbert, honored for life’s work
Britannica to Audubon, noted nature illustrator
For years before making Cape Haze his home, artist Albert Earl Gilbert was a frequent visitor to Boca Grande. Drawn to the island’s coastal beauty and wildlife, he returned often before he and his wife, Shirley, relocated from Connecticut to nearby Eagle Preserve Estates overlooking Lemon Bay in 2017.
Next month, he will be honored with an award from the national Society of Animal Artists. The award will be presented during their 65th Annual Exhibition opening on Saturday, Oct. 11 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. His sister, local mystery writer Diane Madsen, supports his work and handles his correspondence. Madsen is also working with the state of Florida, as his art will appear in promotional materials for Florida’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
Photos submitted
Today, Gilbert is the Society’s president emeritus. He will be honored with Bott-Borghi-Bransom Animal Artist Legacy Award for his devoted service and lifetime contributions to the field of animal art. Gilbert is widely recognized for his career as a wildlife artist, a path that began in his youth when he spent hours sketching animals in zoos or on hikes in the forest preserves of Cook County, Illinois. A scholarship to the University of Illinois and early work at the Field Museum in Chicago set the foundation for a lifetime devoted to depicting the natural world with accuracy and detail.
His career took him across the globe, often on expeditions sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. Gilbert traveled to East Africa, Madagascar, the Amazon, Mexico, Trinidad, Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, and Australia. These journeys gave him firsthand encounters with wildlife and ecosystems that later appeared in his paintings. Field study became a hallmark of his work, ensuring that each painting reflected not only artistic vision but also direct knowledge of his subjects.
In 1973, Gilbert’s painting “Mockingbirds on Orange Blossom” was chosen as the cover art for Florida Wildlife Magazine and now hangs in the Florida Governor’s Mansion. In 1978, his painting of a Drake Hooded Merganser won the Federal Duck Stamp competition on his first attempt, an honor that included a reception at the White House.
Gilbert also lent his artistic talent to major works of ornithology, from the 1983 edition of the Audubon Society’s Master Guide to Birding to Encyclopedia Britannica. He illustrated the 2009 book “Trogons: A Natural History of the Trogonidae” by Joseph M. Forshaw, which received the International Book Award for Best Interior Design. Trogons, seen at left, are strikingly colorful forest birds found in tropical and subtropical regions, and Gilbert’s illustrations brought their distinctive features to life for both scientists and readers. His artwork was also featured in the July 2011 issue of Birding Magazine.
Beyond his personal achievements, Gilbert contributed to the broader art community. He served as president of the Society from 1977 to 1984, a period of growth for the organization. Gilbert has also supported conservation by donating original works and prints to groups such as the National Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund and Ducks Unlimited.
