Artwork
Canada Goose
Canada Goose is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Canada Goose is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1834 on Whatman wove paper. It showcases the artist's skill in combining engraving and aquatint techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a Canada Goose in a serene natural setting, sitting on a rock by water with its head tilted upwards. The composition focuses on the bird, with minimal background elements such as plant stems, leaves, and a curved egg, emphasizing the subject's presence.
Technique & Style
The work exemplifies the Havell family's renowned expertise in aquatint. Fine cross-hatching details the texture of feathers and leaves, while simple, precise coloring avoids distraction, highlighting the bird's form.
History & Provenance
Part of the Havell family's body of engraved works, Canada Goose reflects their long-standing engagement with various artistic techniques and their influence in the field of printmaking.
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.
