Artwork
Pigeon Hawk
Pigeon Hawk is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Havell, Jr., Robert. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Robert Havell Jr.
About this work
Overview
Robert Havell Jr. created the print Pigeon Hawk in 1830, employing a hand‑coloured engraving combined with aquatint on a sheet of Whatman wove paper. The image presents two raptors perched on a leafy branch, rendered with meticulous line work and subtle tonal washes that give the feathers and foliage a naturalistic appearance.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts two hawks, one facing forward with slightly spread wings and a second positioned behind, set against a backdrop of green leaves. The detailed rendering of plumage in brown, black and white, alongside the varied leaf shapes, suggests an interest in accurate observation of bird anatomy and habitat, typical of early nineteenth‑century ornithological illustration.
Technique & Style
Havell employed the aquatint process, a method that allows for broad, watercolor‑like tones, alongside fine engraved lines to define texture. The hand‑colouring adds nuanced greens to the foliage and subtle shading to the birds’ feathers, demonstrating the Havell family’s mastery of tonal gradation and their reputation as leading practitioners of this medium.
History & Provenance
The Havell family, based in Reading, Berkshire, were prominent English engravers and painters in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Robert Havell Jr. worked within this tradition, collaborating with his father, Robert Havell the Elder, and his uncle, Luke Havell, who together contributed to the period’s flourishing natural‑history publishing.
Context
During the early 1800s, aquatint became a favored technique for scientific illustration, especially in natural‑history and ornithology books, because it could convey fine tonal variation without the expense of full‑color painting. Pigeon Hawk exemplifies this trend, reflecting both the artistic skill and the growing demand for accurate depictions of wildlife.
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Artist & collection
Artist
The Havell family of Reading, Berkshire, England, included a number of notable engravers, etchers and painters, as well as writers, publishers, educators, and musicians.
