Artwork
Cayenne Tern
Cayenne Tern is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Havell, Jr., Robert. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cayenne Tern is a 1835 print by Robert Havell Jr., created using hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a Cayenne Tern perched on a sandy shore with a red crab, showcasing the bird's sleek white body, black cap, and bright red beak. The scene is rendered in muted blues and warm browns, with attention to texture in the feathers and crab's shell.
Technique & Style
The work combines engraving and aquatint, techniques that allowed for detailed lines and soft tonal ranges. The use of hand-coloring adds vibrancy to the image, while the Whatman wove paper provides a suitable support for the fine engraving.
History & Provenance
Robert Havell Jr. was part of a family of English engravers and artists with a connection to Indian art and culture. His father, Robert Havell the Elder, was also an engraver and publisher.
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Artist & collection
Artist
The Havell family of Reading, Berkshire, England, included a number of notable engravers, etchers and painters, as well as writers, publishers, educators, and musicians.
