1830
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Virginian Partridge is a 1830 ink by Robert Havell Jr., a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This picture shows a group of birds in a wild tangle. Some are flying, some are perched, and others look like they’re on the ground. Their feathers are bright browns, whites, and soft reds, with sharp black-and-white patterns on their wings. The background has simple green hills and a few rocks, but the focus is on the birds—some look alert, others seem to be pecking at the ground. The artist used fine lines and shading to make the feathers look real. Each bird is different, but they all fit together in one busy scene. This style was common in nature studies from that time. To see more like this, check out engraving.
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
