1834
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Pied Oyster-Catcher is a 1834 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This bird has a bright red beak and black feathers, flying low over rough waves. Its wings are spread wide, showing white undersides, while a second bird hovers just above the water. Below, a rocky shore breaks the surf, and a third bird stands near the edge. The artist used fine lines to show texture in the bird’s feathers and the water’s movement. This kind of detail was common in scientific illustrations of the time. Want to know more? Check out engraving.
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
