Artwork
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Snowy Owl is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1831 on Whatman wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two snowy owls perched on a gnarled tree branch, facing each other, with detailed renderings of their white feathers marked with dark speckles against a moody blue sky with faint clouds and moonlight.
Technique & Style
The print showcases the Havell family's expertise in engraving and aquatint, using fine lines to convey texture, similar to stitching, and achieving detailed reproductions through a labor-intensive process.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. continued the family's tradition of engraving and aquatint, building on the careers of his relatives, including Robert Havell the Elder and Daniel Havell, who had connections to Indian art and culture.
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.
