Rook was painted by British 19th Century in 1850.

Where can I see Rook?

Rook is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Rook?

Rook is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Rook?

Museum-quality prints of Rook are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Rook

British 19th Century , 1850

Rook is an ink print by the Romanticist artist British 19th Century. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Rook is a hand-colored etching print depicting a solitary bird of the same name. The artwork features a detailed, dark-feathered rook with distinctive yellowish feathers near its eyes, sharp beak, and a characteristic one-legged stance, set against a minimalist landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a rook, accurately labeled and portrayed with naturalistic detail, reflecting 19th-century practices of using detailed bird art for study and the dissemination of natural history knowledge.

Technique & Style

Executed as a hand-colored etching, the piece showcases precise linework characteristic of etching, with the addition of hand coloring to enhance the bird's features and its simple, yet effective, surroundings.

Context

Created in the 19th century, this work aligns with the era's emphasis on natural history illustration, where such prints served educational and scientific purposes, facilitating the wider understanding and appreciation of bird species.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

British 19th Century

This artist’s short life left behind a quiet obsession with water—whether the churn of a mill wheel, the choppy waves off England’s south coast, or the way light bounces off pond lilies.