1834
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Booby Gannet is a 1834 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a booby gannet standing on a rock, its wings half-spread as if about to take off. The bird’s sharp beak and bright white feathers stand out against the dark background. The artist used fine lines to shade the feathers, a method called cross-hatching. The work feels alive because the artist watched real birds in nature. Havell often did this—he spent years studying wildlife before drawing it. This makes the print feel accurate, not just pretty. Next time you see a seabird, check how its feathers move. Look up Havell, Jr., Robert.
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 pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
