Purple Heron
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
1945.8.256
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Behold the majestic *Purple Heron*, a stunning hand-colored engraving and aquatint by Robert Havell after John James Aud, created in 183. This print hails from Audubon's monumental *Birds of America*, of the most ambitious publishing projects of the 19th century lavish double-elephant folio featuring life-size depictions of over 400 North American bird species. Audubon, a pioneering ornithologist and artist, birds in dynamic, naturalistic poses amid their habitats, blending scientific precision with romantic artistry to revolutionize natural history illustration. Printed on fine Whatman wove paper, the work showcases Havell's masterful aquatint technique, which allowed for subtle tonal gradations mimicking feathers' iridescence, enhanced by expert hand-coloring for vivid realism. The purple heron's poised elegance against a lush backdrop exemplifies the era's fusion of art and science, making ornithology accessible and beautiful to a wide audience. Donated to the National Gallery of Art by Mrs. Walter B. James, this print (Department CG-W) remains a testament to Audubon's enduring legacy in both art and conservation awareness. (198 words)
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...