Artwork
Iceland or Jer Falcon
Iceland or Jer Falcon is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1837 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1837, *Iceland or Jer Falcon* is a hand‑colored engraving combined with aquatint, printed on smooth Whatman wove paper. The image presents two white birds in flight, their wings spread against a rocky ledge, with a small fish and hints of water and sky in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a falcon, likely the so‑called Jer Falcon, a species historically linked to Icelandic falconry. By focusing on the bird in mid‑air, the print emphasizes the animal’s agility and the traditional hunting practice associated with it.
Technique & Style
Robert Havell Jr. employed fine line engraving to render the birds’ feather texture, while aquatint provided subtle tonal washes that model the sky and water. The hand‑coloring adds delicate highlights, a method typical of early‑19th‑century scientific illustration.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the Havell family workshop in Reading, Berkshire. Robert Havell Jr. continued the engraving tradition established by his father, Robert Havell the Elder, and his uncle, Luke Havell, who were noted for their work in aquatint and for producing images related to Indian art and natural history.
Context
During the 1830s, interest in natural history and exotic fauna grew across Britain, prompting the production of detailed, accurate prints for scholarly and educational use. The Havells’ expertise in aquatint made them sought‑after contributors to such publications.
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.
