Sharp-shinned Hawk
1837
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1837
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Sharp-shinned Hawk is a 1837 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows two sharp-shinned hawks perched on a branch. One hawk is gripping a small bird in its talons, while the other sits still nearby. The hawks have dark brown and striped feathers, with bright yellow eyes and legs. The branch they’re on looks rough and curved, with some small twigs. The artist focused on the hawks’ sharp details, like the striped tail and the way their feathers fan out. This kind of careful drawing was common in scientific illustrations from the time. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made precise prints.
