Artwork
American Pied-Bill Dobchick
American Pied-Bill Dobchick is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
American Pied-Bill Dobchick is a print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1835, combining hand-colored engraving and aquatint techniques on Whatman wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a pied-billed grebe, a waterbird, in a natural setting with aquatic plants and trees. Two birds are shown swimming, one on top of the other, with detailed renderings of their brown and white feathers.
Technique & Style
Havell Jr.'s work showcases his skill with engraving and aquatint, techniques associated with his family's artistic tradition. The print's naturalistic style and attention to detail reflect the Romanticism movement's emphasis on emotion and the beauty of nature.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr., a member of a family of engravers and artists from Reading, Berkshire, England, produced this work. His family's background in aquatint and connections to Indian art likely influenced his technique.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Havell family of Reading, Berkshire, England, included a number of notable engravers, etchers and painters, as well as writers, publishers, educators, and musicians.
