Artwork
Kildeer Plover
Kildeer Plover is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Kildeer Plover is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print on Whatman wove paper created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1834.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two killdeer plovers on a rocky shore, one in flight and the other standing, showcasing the bird's distinctive features and plumage.
Technique & Style
The work demonstrates Havell's expertise in aquatint, a technique in which the artist achieved nuanced shading and texture, particularly in the depiction of the birds' feathers.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. came from a family of engravers and artists, with his father and uncle being notable figures; the Havell family's experience with Indian art and culture likely influenced their aquatint techniques.
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.
