1833
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
American Swift is a 1833 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows two birds in mid-flight, their wings spread wide and feathers detailed in soft browns and blacks. Below them, a nest sits tangled with dried leaves and twigs, with a few feathers scattered nearby. The background is plain, letting the birds and nest stand out clearly. The artist used fine lines to capture every feather, making the birds look almost alive. The colors are gentle, with muted tones that keep the focus on the birds’ shapes and movement. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one used metal plates to print detailed images.
The Havell family of Reading, Berkshire, England, included a number of notable engravers, etchers and painters, as well as writers, publishers, educators, and musicians.
See the richer artist page
