Artwork
Sandwich Tern
Sandwich Tern 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
Sandwich Tern is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1835 on Whatman wove paper. The work showcases the Havell family's technical prowess, particularly in aquatint, within their broader artistic and cultural contributions.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a Sandwich Tern, a seabird species, poised on a rocky shoreline with one foot lifted, suggesting imminent flight. Accompanying elements include a crab shell, a seashell, and an expansive ocean background, contextualizing the bird's habitat.
Technique & Style
Havell employed fine lines and nuanced shading to achieve detailed, realistic feather textures. The combination of engraving and aquatint techniques, for which the Havell family was renowned, adds depth and precision to the image.
History & Provenance
Created in 1835, the print's provenance is not detailed here, focusing instead on its creation by Robert Havell Jr., highlighting the family's prominence in aquatint during this period.
Context
Sandwich Tern reflects 19th-century interests in natural history and the precise artistic rendering of wildlife, aligning with the era's scientific and artistic inclinations.
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.
