1835
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Brown Pelican is a 1835 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This bird sits still on a branch, its wings spread wide. Its feathers are mostly brown and white, with a bright yellow head and a long, curved beak. Behind it, green leaves and small flowers grow, as if the bird is part of a quiet forest scene. The artist used fine lines to show every feather and leaf, making the bird look almost real. The colors are soft but precise, with careful shading to show depth. Look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints before photography.
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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