Artwork
Uria Brunnichii
Uria Brunnichii 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. Created in 1835, this hand‑colored engraving and aquatint portrays a Brünnich’s guillemot in mid‑flight.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1835, this hand‑colored engraving and aquatint portrays a Brünnich’s guillemot in mid‑flight. The bird is rendered with a stark black‑and‑white palette, a vivid red eye, and reddish‑brown feet, set against a subtle blue gradient that suggests sky or water. The composition captures the moment of the seabird’s wings fully extended, conveying a sense of motion and natural presence.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on the Brünnich’s guillemot, a seabird native to northern coasts. By isolating the bird against an almost abstract background, the work emphasizes the creature’s form and vitality, reflecting Romantic interests in the power and beauty of untamed nature. The striking red eye provides a focal point that draws the viewer’s attention to the animal’s alertness.
Technique & Style
The aquatint technique allowed for soft tonal gradations, evident in the blue background, while the fine engraving defines the bird’s plumage.
Robert Havell Jr. employed a combination of engraving and aquatint on high‑quality Whatman wove paper, then applied hand‑coloring to enhance details. The aquatint technique allowed for soft tonal gradations, evident in the blue background, while the fine engraving defines the bird’s plumage. This method aligns with the Romantic era’s preference for expressive, atmospheric effects achieved through meticulous printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to the Havell family, a lineage of English engravers and aquatint specialists active in Reading, Berkshire. Known for their long‑standing engagement with Indian artistic subjects, the family’s expertise extended to European natural history subjects such as this seabird. The work remains a representative example of Robert Havell Jr.’s output during the early nineteenth century.
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.
