Artwork
Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl 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, *Long-eared Owl* is a hand‑colored engraving combined with aquatint, printed on smooth Whatman wove paper. The image presents a naturalistic rendering of a long‑eared owl captured in mid‑flight, its claws clutching a branch while its plumage displays a range of brown, orange and white tones.
Subject & Meaning
The print focuses on the owl’s anatomy and behavior, emphasizing the bird’s keen eyes, distinctive ear‑tufts and detailed feather pattern. By portraying the creature in a dynamic pose, the work serves both as a study of avian form and as a visual record for natural history interests of the period.
Technique & Style
Havell employed fine line engraving to delineate texture in feathers and bark, while aquatint provided subtle tonal washes that model the bird’s volume. Hand‑coloring adds realistic hues, a method typical of scientific illustration in the early nineteenth century, allowing precise rendering of surface details.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Robert Havell Jr., a member of the Havell family of engravers based in Reading, Berkshire. The Havells were noted for their expertise in aquatint and for publishing works that engaged with natural history and, later, Indian art. This piece reflects the family’s continuation of a printing tradition begun by Robert Havell the Elder and his brother Luke Havell.
Context
During the 1830s, British naturalists increasingly relied on printed illustrations to document wildlife. Engravers like Havell supplied the detailed imagery required for scientific texts, bridging art and observation. The use of high‑quality paper and meticulous hand‑coloring aligns the work with contemporary standards for accuracy and aesthetic appeal in scholarly 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.
