Artwork
Black Skimmer
Black Skimmer is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Black Skimmer is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1836 on Whatman wove paper. The piece showcases the Havell family's technical prowess, particularly in aquatint, and their interest in Indian art and culture.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a black skimmer seabird in flight over water, characterized by its distinctive black and white plumage and long, red bill. The image captures the bird mid-flight with outstretched wings against a blue, clouded sky.
Technique & Style
Havell Jr. employed aquatint and hand-coloring to achieve detailed, textured feathers with subtle shading, contrasting the bird's monochromatic plumage with its vibrant red beak. The work exemplifies the Havell family's renowned expertise in aquatint.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr., part of a distinguished family of English artists from Reading, Berkshire, created this work in 1836. The family was known for their contributions to engraving, etching, painting, and intellectual pursuits.
Context
While the bird species itself is not inherently tied to Indian culture, the work reflects the Havell family's broader engagement with Indian art and cultural themes during this period.
Legacy
The precise legacy of *Black Skimmer* within Robert Havell Jr.'s oeuvre or the broader art historical context is not explicitly defined in available information, though it contributes to the family's noted artistic and technical contributions.
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.
