Artwork
Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Great Crested Flycatcher is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print from 1832, created by Robert Havell Jr. on Whatman wove paper, a standard medium for high-quality engravings at the time.
Subject & Meaning
The print accurately depicts two Great Crested Flycatchers, one in flight and one perched, highlighting the species' distinctive crested heads and long, pointed tails, characteristic of natural history illustration's emphasis on detail.
Technique & Style
The work combines engraving and aquatint techniques, evident in the detailed rendering of the birds and their subtle, muted color palette (browns, grays, yellows) set against a soft, creamy white background.
History & Provenance
Created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1832, the piece reflects the Havell family's renowned expertise in aquatint, though specific provenance details are not provided.
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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