Large-billed Puffin
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
1945.8.293
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Behold the vibrant *Large-billed Puffin*, a stunning hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper created in 1836 by Robert Havell John James Audubon. This print hails from Audubon's monumental *The Birds of America* (1827–1838), one of the most celebrated natural history publications ever produced. Audubon, a pioneering American ornithologist and artist, sought to depict every known North American bird species in life-size detail, blending scientific precision with dramatic artistry. Havell's masterful engraving captured Audubon's dynamic compositions, showcasing the puffin's str...
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...