American Snipe

Art Historical Context

Behold the *American Snipe*, a captivating hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, created in 1835 by Robert Havell after John James Audubon. This print is a gem from Audubon's legendary *The Birds of America* (1827–1838), a monumental double-elephant folio series that brought the avian wonders of North America to life in unprecedented detail. Audubon, a pioneering naturalist and artist, sketched birds in dynamic, life-sized poses amid their natural habitats, revolutionizing ornithological illustration with his dramatic compositions and scientific accuracy. Havell's masterful translation into print employed aquatint—a tonal etching technique ideal for capturing feathers' subtle textures and landscapes' depth—enhanced by meticulous hand-coloring for vivid realism. Printed on fine Whatman wove paper, these works were produced in London to reach an elite international audience, blending art and science in an era of expanding natural history exploration. The snipe's alert stance evokes the thrill of marshland discovery, highlighting Audubon's passion for America's wildlife. Generously gifted to the National Gallery of Art by Mrs. Walter B. James, this print (Department CG-W) stands as a testament to 19th-century innovation, inviting visitors to appreciate how Audubon's vision endures as a cornerstone of American artistic and environmental heritage.

About the Artist

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

Robert Havell Jr., born on November 25, 1793, in Reading, Berkshire, England, was the son of renowned engraver and publisher Robert Havell Sr. and Lydia Miller Phillips. Growing up in a family of artists that included notable engravers and etchers, he trained under his father, mastering aquatint techniques early on. Though briefly estranged from the family business, Havell reconciled with his fath...