Artwork
Havell's Tern and Trudeau's Tern
Havell's Tern and Trudeau's Tern is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Robert Havell Jr. produced a hand‑colored engraving and aquatint in 1838 titled *Havell’s Tern and Trudeau’s Tern*. Executed on Whatman wove paper, the print presents two seabirds side by side, each rendered in muted browns and whites that approach natural coloration.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a pair of terns—identified as Havell’s Tern on the left and Trudeau’s Tern on the right—standing on simple linear marks that suggest blades of grass. The juxtaposition highlights subtle differences in plumage while emphasizing the birds’ delicate presence within a restrained landscape.
Technique & Style
Havell employed both engraving and aquatint, combining line work with tonal washes. Fine cross‑hatching defines feather texture, while the aquatint provides soft shadows, especially beneath the birds’ feet, creating a sense of three‑dimensionality without overwhelming detail.
History & Provenance
The print reflects the Havell family’s long‑standing involvement with aquatint, a medium in which they were regarded as leading practitioners in the early nineteenth century. Robert Havell Jr. continued the artistic lineage established by his father, Robert Havell the Elder, and his uncle, Luke Havell, both noted engravers and educators.
Context
Created during a period of heightened British interest in natural history and Indian ornithology, the work aligns with the Havells’ broader engagement with Indian art and scientific illustration, contributing to the visual documentation of avian species for contemporary audiences.
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.
