Artwork
Dusky Petrel
Dusky Petrel 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
Dusky Petrel is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1836 on Whatman wove paper, showcasing the Havell family's technical prowess in aquatint and their interest in diverse artistic influences.
Subject & Meaning
The print features a detailed, dynamic depiction of a dusky petrel in flight, emphasizing the bird's physical characteristics and natural habitat, with contrasting colors and textures evoking movement and depth.
Technique & Style
Employing the Havell family's signature aquatint expertise, the work combines precise engraving with subtle coloration, rendering the bird's soft feathers and the gentle, wave-patterned water surface in a style reflective of the family's publishing and artistic tradition.
History & Provenance
Created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1836, the piece is part of the Havell family's artistic legacy, with the artist being the son of Robert Havell the Elder, within a lineage of English artists and craftsmen based in Reading, Berkshire. It is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Context
While the piece reflects the family's broader engagement with Indian art and culture, 'Dusky Petrel' specifically situates itself within the tradition of detailed, realistic depictions of natural subjects, characteristic of early 19th-century English printmaking.
Legacy
As a testament to the Havell family's aquatint technique and their contribution to English printmaking, 'Dusky Petrel' remains a notable example of their craft, preserved in a prominent national collection.
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.
