Wood Pewee

Wood Pewee

Robert Havell Jr.

1831

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This bird sits on a branch heavy with green leaves and white flowers. Its feathers are dark, with a light stripe down its side. The flowers bloom in soft clusters, and the whole scene looks precise and delicate. The artist used fine lines to build up the bird’s feathers and leaves—this is called *cross-hatching*. It’s a way to add texture without heavy brushstrokes. Look up technique: cross-hatching to see how it works in other prints.

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