Artwork
White Ibis
White Ibis is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Havell, Jr., Robert. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
White Ibis is a hand-colored engraving and aquatint print on Whatman wove paper, created by Robert Havell Jr. in 1834. It features two birds on a rocky shoreline, with meticulous attention to naturalistic detail.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two ibises in a natural setting, contrasting a white ibis with a brown companion. The scene emphasizes the beauty of the natural world, characteristic of Romantic-era artistic values.
Technique & Style
Havell employed hand-coloring, engraving, and aquatint techniques to achieve detailed, muted tones (white, brown, green) and textured rendering of feathers, beaks, and landscape elements.
History & Provenance
Part of a familial tradition in engraving and aquatint, White Ibis reflects the Havell family's expertise, with Robert Havell Jr. following in the footsteps of his father (Robert Havell the Elder) and uncle (Luke Havell).
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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.
