1837
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Brant Goose is a 1837 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This picture shows two brant geese on rocky ground. One bird is standing still, wings slightly open, while the other is mid-step, head turned as if calling out. The background has a faint mountain range and a pale sky, keeping the focus on the birds. Their feathers are marked with careful colors—black, white, and soft browns—making them look real. The artist used a mix of fine lines and shading to show the birds’ feathers in detail. This kind of careful drawing was common in early nature prints. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made precise prints from metal plates.
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
