Burrowing Owl, Large-Headed Burrowing Owl andLittle Night Owl

Art Historical Context

Behold the captivating *Burrowing Owl, LargeHeaded Burrowing Owl Little Night Owl* (1838), a masterful print by engraver Robert Havell Jr after the original watercolor by John James Audubon This work hails from Audubon's monumental *Birds of America* (1827–1838), one of the most ambitious natural history publications ever produced. Audubon, a pioneering American ornithologist and artist, sought to depict every known North American bird species at life size, blending scientific precision with dramatic, lifelike poses that captured the wild spirit of his subjects. Crafted as a hand-colored engraving and aquatint on fine Whatman wove paper, the print exemplifies 19th-century reproductive printmaking techniques. Aquatint allowed for subtle tonal gradations mimicking watercolor's fluidity, while expert hand-coloring by Havell's London workshop added vibrant feathers and expressive details, making each of the 435 plates uniquely beautiful. Whatman paper, prized for its durability and smoothness, ensured the images' longevity. Now in the National Gallery of Art's collection (gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, Department CG-W), this print reflects the Romantic era's fascination with nature's wonders and Audubon's enduring legacy in bridging art and science. Visitors will delight in the owls' alert gazes, evoking the quiet mystery of nocturnal habitats.

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...