American Woodcock

About this work

This engraving shows a woodcock perched on a mossy branch. Its feathers look soft, yet sharp details hide in the cross-hatched shadows. The bird’s eye gleams, giving it life. Robert Havell Jr. cut the plate himself. That’s rare—most engravers just printed others’ work. He also colored each sheet by hand, so no two prints match. This quiet scene proves why Havell, Jr., Robert deserves a closer look.