The Swallow Tail Hawk (Falco furcatus)
1754
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1754
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This bird sits on a thin branch, its long tail feathers spread wide like a fan. Its body is mostly gray with darker wings, and its eye glows bright orange. The background is plain, letting the bird stand out clearly. The artist labeled it *The Swallow Tail Hawk*, and the tail feathers are the key detail—long and split at the end. This kind of careful drawing was used to study nature. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
