1829
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Swamp Sparrow is a 1829 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This picture shows a small bird perched on a branch with green leaves. The bird has brown and gray feathers, and it’s facing left as if ready to fly. Above it, a white flower with yellow inside sits on another branch, all drawn with careful detail. The artist used a mix of colors and fine lines to make the leaves and feathers look real. The text at the bottom names the bird a "Swamp Sparrow" and the plant a "May-apple." Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
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
