Artwork
The Bird of Washington or Great American Sea Eagle
The Bird of Washington or Great American Sea Eagle is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1827 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Bird of Washington or Great American Sea Eagle is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1827.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a bald eagle, then known as the 'Bird of Washington', perched on a rocky outcropping. The bird's detailed plumage and sharp talons are rendered in dark browns, blacks, and whites, showcasing its majesty.
Technique & Style
Havell Jr. employed a combination of engraving and aquatint techniques to achieve the image's intricate textures and tonal variations, characteristic of his family's expertise in these methods.
Context
The bald eagle, the subject of this work, was later adopted as a national symbol of the United States, underscoring the significance of this representation.
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.
