1835
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Hutchin's Barnacle Goose is a 1835 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This goose stands alone on a rocky shore, its black-and-white head tilted up as if calling. The water behind it is calm, with distant mountains fading into a soft sky. Every feather is carefully drawn, from the curved neck to the patterned wings. The artist used fine lines to show texture, like tiny strokes under the feathers. This was a common way to add detail in old prints. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made sharp, precise images.
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
