Artwork
Gold-winged Woodpecker
Gold-winged Woodpecker is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Gold-winged Woodpecker is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print on Whatman wove paper, created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1828.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts four woodpeckers perched on a weathered tree trunk, showcasing their plumage and the tree's texture. The image combines scientific observation with detailed representation, characteristic of ornithological illustration.
Technique & Style
Havell employed careful lines, shading, and aquatint to capture the birds' feathers and the tree's texture. The use of aquatint allowed for tonal representations, reflecting the Havell family's expertise in this technique.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. came from a family of engravers, etchers, and painters. His work was part of a tradition that utilized refined printmaking techniques for natural history imagery.
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.
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