Artwork
Purple Gallinule
Purple Gallinule is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Purple Gallinule is a print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1836, using a combination of hand-colored engraving and aquatint techniques on Whatman wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a Purple Gallinule bird perched on a rocky shoreline, surrounded by tall grass and a distant tree line, with its bright plumage contrasting against the subdued background.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Havell's technical skill in printmaking, particularly in aquatint, a technique that allows for nuanced tonal ranges, and is characterized by the vivid colors achieved through hand-coloring.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. was part of a family of engravers, including his father Robert Havell Sr. and nephew Daniel Havell, known for their expertise in aquatint and connections to Indian art.
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.
