Artwork
Stormy Petrel
Stormy Petrel 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
Stormy Petrel is a hand‑colored engraving and aquatint produced in 1835 by Robert Havell Jr. The work appears on Whatman wove paper and presents a dramatic seascape in which two dark‑brown seabirds with white wing patches and yellow feet soar above churning, gray‑blue waves. A small wooden object, possibly a barrel, drifts in the water, adding a hint of narrative to the turbulent setting.
Subject & Meaning
The print focuses on a storm petrel, a bird traditionally associated with tempestuous weather and maritime folklore. By portraying the birds in vigorous, outstretched flight over a restless sea, the image conveys a sense of resilience against natural forces, inviting contemplation of the relationship between wildlife and the volatile elements of the ocean.
Technique & Style
Havell employed a combination of engraving and aquatint, allowing for a broad tonal spectrum that captures the misty atmosphere and the sheen of the sea. Hand‑coloring adds subtle contrasts, particularly in the birds’ plumage and the foam of the waves, while the use of Whatman wove paper provides a smooth surface that enhances the delicate gradations of tone.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. belonged to a notable family of English engravers and etchers based in Reading, Berkshire, whose practice was linked to the development of aquatint and to the influence of Indian artistic motifs. Stormy Petrel reflects the mid‑19th‑century British interest in natural history illustration and marine subjects, and it remains documented in several museum collections.
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.
