Artwork
Purple Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Purple Sandpiper is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1835 on Whatman wove paper. The work showcases the artist’s skill in combining engraving and aquatint techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The print features a detailed depiction of a purple sandpiper, a small shorebird, standing on a rock with its beak pointed downwards. The contrast between the bird’s purple-tinted feathers and the gray rock emphasizes the species’ distinctive coloring.
Technique & Style
Havell Jr. utilized aquatint to achieve tonal depth in the scene, a technique for which his family was renowned. The hand-coloring adds vibrancy, particularly in capturing the bird’s plumage.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. was part of a prominent family of artists from Reading, Berkshire, England. His work in Purple Sandpiper continues the family tradition established by his father, Robert Havell the Elder, and uncle, Luke Havell.
Context
The print reflects the 19th-century practice of using aquatint for natural history illustrations, providing a detailed and nuanced representation of the natural world.
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.
