Artwork
Boat-Tailed Grackle
Boat-Tailed Grackle is an ink print by the Romanticist artist John T. Bowen. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Boat-Tailed Grackle is a hand-colored lithograph on wove paper created by John T. Bowen in 1840.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a male and female Boat-tailed Grackle perched on a branch with green leaves. The male, shown above, has a brown plumage with a long tail, while the female below is glossy black. The birds are captured in a moment of movement, facing slightly different directions.
Technique & Style
The lithograph showcases the artist's attention to detail through its careful hand-coloring, which highlights the birds' features, such as the brown streaks on the male's neck. The technique of lithography allowed for mass production of the image while maintaining a level of detail and color.
Artist & collection
