Louisiana Hawk

About this work

The print shows a sharp-eyed hawk perched on a tree branch. Soft brown feathers stand out against a pale sky. Green leaves frame the bird but leave its hooked beak and talons in clear view. Robert Havell Jr. hand-colored this engraving after the ink was pressed. Printers often skipped that step, so this sheet glows more than most. The hawk’s gaze feels alive, almost watching you back. Try the same artist’s prints at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.