1833
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Rusty Grakle is a 1833 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This picture shows four birds perched on bare branches with yellowing leaves. Two of the birds are dark and glossy, while the others have brown and gray feathers with a speckled look. Berries hang from the branches, and the whole scene feels still, like a quiet moment in nature. The artist used fine lines and shading to make the feathers look real, almost like a sketch come to life. This kind of detailed work was common in scientific illustrations from the time. Next, look up engraving to see how artists carved these tiny details into metal plates.
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
