Artwork
Solitary Flycatcher
Solitary Flycatcher is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Havell, Jr., Robert. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Solitary Flycatcher is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1828 on Whatman wove paper, showcasing the artist's family lineage in skilled printmaking and natural history illustration.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two birds identified as Solitary Flycatchers, a small passerine species, perched on tall reeds amidst mixed foliage, with meticulous detail emphasizing the natural setting and subjects.
Technique & Style
Havell Jr. employed engraving and aquatint techniques, characteristic of his family's printmaking tradition, to achieve precise, detailed renderings of the birds and vegetation, set against a plain white background for emphasis.
History & Provenance
Created in 1828, the work reflects the Havell family's multi-generational involvement in printmaking, with Robert Havell Jr. drawing on his lineage's expertise in aquatint and natural history themes.
Context
The use of Whatman wove paper and the emphasis on precise natural illustration place the work within the early 19th-century tradition of fine, detailed engravings for scientific and aesthetic appeal.
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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.
