Artwork
Tyrant Flycatcher
Tyrant Flycatcher is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Tyrant Flycatcher is a print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1830 using hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two birds, a gray and white tyrant flycatcher and a black bird with a red head patch, perched on a branch with leaves and buds. The detailed rendering suggests a focus on natural history illustration.
Technique & Style
The artist employed fine lines, shading, and soft yet precise coloring to achieve a lifelike representation of the birds' feathers. The use of aquatint, a technique mastered by the Havell family, adds to the print's detailed and nuanced appearance.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. was part of a family of engravers, etchers, painters, and educators. He followed a tradition established by his father and uncle, and the work reflects the family's expertise in aquatint and their engagement with natural history illustration.
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.
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