Purple Gallinule

Art Historical Context

Behold the vivid *Purple Gallinule* (1836), a stunning hand-colored engraving and aquatint by Robert Hav after John James Audubon housed in the National Gallery of. This print is a gem from Audubon's epic *The Birds of America* (1827–1838), a landmark publication that revolutionized natural history illustration. Audubon, a self-taught artist and ornithologist, captured birds life-size in dynamic, naturalistic poses amid their habitats, challenging the static conventions of earlier bird art and sparking a new era of scientific realism. Havell's masterful translation employed engraving for precise lines and aquatint for subtle tonal gradations, printed on luxurious Whatman wove paper—a heavyweight stock prized for its durability and ability to hold vibrant colors. A team of colorists then hand-applied washes of gouache and watercolor, bringing the iridescent blues, purples, and greens of this tropical waterbird to life. Donated by Mrs. Walter B. James, the print exemplifies the era's blend of artistry and science, produced in the "double-elephant" folio format for elite subscribers worldwide. Fun fact: The Purple Gallinule, with its flamboyant plumage and marshy haunts from Florida to South America, embodies Audubon's passion for America's wild diversity. These prints not only educated but inspired early conservation efforts, making this work a feathered bridge between art and ecology.

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...