Who painted Water Fowl?

Water Fowl was painted by British 19th Century in 1801.

Where can I see Water Fowl?

Water Fowl is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Water Fowl?

Water Fowl is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Water Fowl

British 19th Century , 1801

Water Fowl is an ink print by the Romanticist artist British 19th Century. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This etching presents a solitary waterfowl perched upon a modest rock.

About this work

Overview

This etching presents a solitary waterfowl perched upon a modest rock. Rendered in monochrome, the bird faces to the right, one foot tucked beneath its body while the other steadies it on the stone. The composition is confined to the bird and its immediate support, emphasizing the creature’s form and stance without extraneous background.

Subject & Meaning

The work focuses on a single avian figure, likely intended as a study of anatomy and posture rather than narrative content. By isolating the bird, the artist invites close observation of its plumage and stance, reflecting an interest in naturalistic representation common to scientific illustration of the period.

Technique & Style

Executed through fine line etching, the image relies on cross‑hatching to model the gray‑white feathers, creating texture and depth. The precision of the incised lines captures the bird’s delicate features and the subtle gradations of tone, exemplifying the meticulous approach favored by artists documenting nature in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to a tradition of natural‑history prints produced for study and collection. While specific details of its creation and ownership are not recorded here, such works were typically circulated among scholars, collectors, and institutions interested in zoological documentation.

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.