1828
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
American Redstart is a 1828 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This picture shows two American Redstart birds perched on branches. One bird is sitting still while the other is flying down toward a round nest packed with tiny eggs. The branches hold green leaves and a few flowers, all drawn with careful detail. The artist used a mix of colors to show the birds’ bright feathers against the muted background. The nest and eggs look almost three-dimensional, thanks to the careful shading. Next, check out the technique: engraving to see how artists create fine details like these.
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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