1827
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Carolina Pigeon or Turtle Dove is a 1827 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows two birds perched among green leaves and white flowers. One bird is sitting still on a branch, while the other is mid-flight below, its wings spread wide. The colors are soft—earthy browns, pale blues, and creamy whites—with careful attention to the birds’ feathers and the plants’ details. The artist used fine lines to create texture, especially in the feathers and leaves, which makes the birds look almost real. This kind of careful drawing was common in scientific illustrations from the time. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one made detailed prints.
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
