1835
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Night Heron or Qua bird is a 1835 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows two birds in tall marsh grass. One bird stands still, its feathers dark and striped with a bright yellow beak. The other bird has its wings spread wide, catching something in its beak near the water’s edge. Lilies and reeds fill the background, while a frog sits quietly on a rock. The artist used fine lines to show texture, especially in the feathers and plants. This kind of detail was common in scientific illustrations of the time. Next, look up engraving to see how artists created sharp, precise images like this one.
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 pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
