Two-colored Sparrow

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Two-colored Sparrow* (1831), a exquisite print from John James Audubon's monumentalBirds of America*,fully engraved and aquatinted by Robert Hav after Audubon's original watercolor. Audubon, a pioneering naturalist and artist, sought to depict American birds at life size in dynamic, naturalistic poses, revolutionizing ornithological illustration during the early 19th century. This work captures the sparrow's subtle plumage variations—rich browns and grays—with Audubon's signature attention to anatomical accuracy and habitat details, reflecting the era's growing fascination with America's wild landscapes. Crafted as a hand-colored engraving and aquatint on fine Whatman wove paper, the print showcases Havell's technical brilliance. Aquatint allowed for soft, painterly tones mimicking watercolor, while hand-coloring by skilled artisans added vibrant realism. Published as part of the double-elephant folio edition, these prints were luxury items, blending scientific precision with artistic beauty and making natural history accessible to elite collectors. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art as a gift from Mrs. Walter B. James, this piece endures as a testament to Audubon's vision and the golden age of printmaking. It invites visitors to marvel at how art bridged exploration and enlightenment in a young nation.

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...