Black-throated Bunting
Medium
hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
Classification
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James
Accession Number
1945.8.384
Art Historical Context
Behold the vibrant *Black-throated Bunting*, a stunning plate from John James Audubon's legendary *The Birds of America* (1827–1838), masterfully engraved and hand-colored by Robert Havell in 1837. Audubon, a pioneering naturalist and artist, captured birds in dynamic, life-sized poses amid their natural habitats, blending scientific precision with dramatic artistry. This print exemplifies his influence on American ornithological illustration, transforming bird studies into works of high art that captivated 19th-century audiences and advanced wildlife conservation awareness. Crafted as a hand...
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...