American Avocet

American Avocet

Robert Havell Jr.

1836

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From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a long-legged bird with a curved black beak, standing on a sandy shore near water. Its feathers are mostly white and brown, with a pinkish neck and head. In the background, you can see more birds, palm trees, and a distant coastline with hills. The artist used fine lines and shading to make the bird look real, especially its feathers and the wet sand. The tiny details in the water and plants add depth to the scene. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Havell created these sharp, precise images.

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