Snowy Owl
1831
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1831
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows two snowy owls perched on a gnarled tree branch. The owls face each other, their white feathers marked with dark speckles. The background is a moody blue sky with faint clouds and a hint of moonlight. The artist used fine lines to show the owls’ feathers in detail, almost like stitching. This was a common way to add texture in early prints. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made precise prints before photography.