Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Art Historical Context

Behold the striking *Red-cockaded Woodcker*, a 1837 hand-colored engraving aquatint on Whatman wove paper crafted by Robert Havell after the visionary naturalist John James Audubon This print is Plate 66 from Audubon's epic *The Birds of America* (1827–1838), a landmark publication that brought life-sized depictions of over 400 North American bird species to an eager public. Audubon's revolutionary style—dynamic poses amid natural habitats—elevated ornithological art from stiff scientific diagrams to vivid, almost portrait-like celebrations of wildlife, influencing generations of artists and conservationists. Havell's masterful techniques shine here: engraving captured the woodpecker's intricate feather details and perky posture, while aquatint added soft tonal depths for bark textures and plumage sheen. Hand-coloring by skilled artisans imbued the bird's black-and-white plumage with fiery reds and buffs, making each print a unique gem on durable Whatman paper. Gifted to the National Gallery of Art by Mrs. Walter B. James, this work exemplifies 19th-century printmaking's blend of science and artistry. Today, it reminds us of the red-cockaded woodpecker's endangered status in southeastern pine forests, underscoring Audubon's prescient call to cherish America's avian treasures. A must-see for bird lovers and print enthusiasts alike!

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...