Great Cinereous Owl

Art Historical Context

Behold the majestic *Great Cinereous Owl a stunning hand-colored engraving and aquatint by Robert Havell, faithfully reproducing John James Audubon's original watercolor from his monumental *Birds of America series (1827–1838). in 1837, this plate captures the owl—likely the great gray owl—in life-size detail, perched dramatically amid its natural habitat. Audubon, a pioneering naturalist and artist, sought to document every North American bird species at actual scale, revolutionizing ornithological illustration and blending science with artistry. Printed on high-quality Whatman wove paper, the double-elephant folio dimensions (nearly 40 x 27 inches) allowed for breathtaking realism, with Havell's masterful engraving providing precise lines and aquatint adding subtle tonal gradations. Artisans then hand-applied vibrant colors, enhancing the owl's piercing gaze, soft feathers, and brooding presence. This technique not only preserved Audubon's dynamic compositions but also made the prints accessible to collectors and scholars. Housed in the National Gallery of Art as a gift from Mrs. Walter B. James, this work exemplifies 19th-century American printmaking's pinnacle, bridging art, science, and exploration. It invites visitors to marvel at nature's grandeur through Audubon's visionary lens, a timeless tribute to wildlife preservation.

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...