Bohemian Chatterer

Art Historical Context

Behold the vibrant *Bohemian Chatterer (1837), a hand-colored engraving and aquint by Robert Havell faithfully reproducing John James Audubon's masterful watercolor. Part of Audubon's epic *The Birds of America*—one of the most ambitious natural history projects of the 19th century—this print captures the Bohemian Waxwing, a striking bird with sleek black cap, yellow tail tip, and crimson wax-like wing markings. Audubon's revolutionary style posed birds in dynamic, lifelike scenes amid their natural habitats, blending scientific accuracy with artistic drama to educate and enchant audiences. Havell's technical prowess shines through in the engraving and aquatint processes, which allowed for exquisite detail in feathers and textures, while hand-coloring by skilled artisans brought Audubon's vivid palette to life on fine Whatman wove paper—a premium British stock prized for its durability and smooth surface. Produced during the height of Romanticism's fascination with nature, these double-elephant folio prints (measuring up to 40 inches tall) were luxury items for elite collectors, advancing ornithological illustration into high art. Today, this gift to the National Gallery of Art from Mrs. Walter B. James invites us to marvel at 19th-century ingenuity, where science met artistry to celebrate the wild beauty of American birds. A true gem for bird lovers and print enthusiasts alike!

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...