Horned Grebe

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Horned Grebe*, a stunning hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper 1835, created Robert Havell after John Audubon. This print a gem from Audubon's epic *Birds of America (1827–1838), the largest and most ambitious bird illustration project in history, featuring life-sized depictions of over 400 North American species in dynamic, naturalistic poses. Audubon, a self-taught artist and naturalist, revolutionizedological art by portraying birds not as stiff specimens but as lively creatures amid their habitats, blending scientific precision with artistic flair. Havell's masterful engraving captures Audubon's watercolor original through aquatint—a technique that allowed subtle tonal gradations mimicking soft brushstrokes—enhanced by meticulous hand-coloring for vivid plumage and iridescent details. Printed on premium Whatman paper, known for its durability and texture, these "double-elephant" folio sheets (about 26 x 39 inches) were produced in London to reach elite subscribers across Europe and America. A gift to the National Gallery of Art from Mrs. Walter B. James, this print exemplifies 19th-century natural history illustration's cultural impact, fueling conservation awareness and artistic innovation. Visitors, imagine flipping through Audubon's folios—each page a window into America's wild avian wonders!

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...