Artwork

Cat Bird

Cat Bird, by Havell, Jr., Robert, ink, 1832
Cat Bird, by Havell, Jr., Robert, ink, 1832

Cat Bird is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Havell, Jr., Robert. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Cat Bird is a print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1832 using hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two gray birds with black heads and orange wing patches perched on a branch with leaves and berries, capturing a moment of the birds feeding.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a detailed and realistic style, the print features intricate textures and shading, with a muted color palette emphasizing earthy tones.

History & Provenance

Robert Havell Jr., from a family of engravers, etchers, and painters, continued his family's tradition, leveraging their expertise in aquatint, a technique in which they were prominent.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Havell, Jr., Robert

Artist

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Cat Bird?

Cat Bird was painted by Havell, Jr., Robert in 1832.

Where can I see Cat Bird?

Cat Bird is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Cat Bird?

Cat Bird is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Cat Bird?

Museum-quality prints of Cat Bird are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.