1837
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Marsh Hawk is a 1837 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This picture shows three birds of prey in a natural setting. One perches calmly on a branch, its feathers a mix of gray and white. Another hovers above, wings spread wide, with brown and white plumage. The third bird is mid-hunt, gripping what looks like a small animal in its talons, surrounded by tall grass and a distant water view. The artist used fine lines to show texture in the feathers and plants, making the birds look almost real. This style was common in detailed scientific illustrations of the time. Next, check out the technique: engraving, cross-hatching to see how artists created such sharp details.
The Havell family of Reading, Berkshire, England, included a number of notable engravers, etchers and painters, as well as writers, publishers, educators, and musicians.
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