Artwork
Crested Grebe
Crested Grebe 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
Crested Grebe is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print on Whatman wove paper created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1836.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two Crested Grebes in a serene landscape, their heads turned towards each other, conveying a sense of gentle interaction. The birds differ in appearance, one with a vibrant pink neck and black crest, the other with a white neck and dark head.
Technique & Style
The work showcases the Havell family's expertise in aquatint, a technique they mastered over generations. The use of hand-coloring adds depth and vibrancy to the print, highlighting the birds' plumage and the surrounding landscape.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. was part of a family of engravers, etchers, and artists with a long-standing connection to Indian art and culture.
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.
