Robert Havell, Jr.

American, born England, 1793 - 1878

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Two large birds with intricate feather patterns; one bird is standing upright with its wings slightly open, while the other is bent forward with its beak near the ground. The color palette consists of shades of black, white, and grey. Positioned on the left side, the standing bird gazes slightly downward, while the bird on the right side is focused on the water's edge, surrounded by tall grasses and a faint sketch of a building and trees in the background.
Robert Havell, Jr., University of Southern Indiana, Audubon State Park Museum, Tell-tale Godwit or Snipe, 2002, engraving and aquatint in black on wove paper (restrike), Gift of Bill and Peg Steiner, 2016.12.1

Tell-tale Godwit or Snipe

Robert Havell, Jr., University of Southern Indiana, Audubon State Park Museum · 2002 · engraving and aquatint in black on wove paper (restrike) ·  Accession ID  2016.12.1
Six birds are depicted on branches of a bare tree with budding leaves. The illustration's color palette consists of browns, yellows, pinks, and hints of blue against a neutral background. At the top sits a small brown and blue bird on the highest branch. Below, a bird with pink, brown, and white plumage perches. Further down, a bird with rich brown and pink colors is situated. To the bottom left, a bird with a yellow chest and black wings perches, and near the center, a bird with brown and black wings with a hint of yellow stands. In the lower right, a brown bird with a white speckled belly sits. The tree branches extend vertically through the center of the image, supporting the birds at varying heights.
Robert Havell, Jr., Lazuli Finch, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.424

Lazuli Finch

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.424
This is a painting of two Eared Grebes. The painting depicts two birds in detail on a rocky surface near a body of water. Tall grassy reeds are visible in the background, under a pale blue sky.
Robert Havell, Jr., Eared Grebe, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.404

Eared Grebe

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.404
This is a painting of two Californian Partridges against a landscape background. The painting depicts two birds standing on a patch of earth, with one bird slightly crouched. The bird in the foreground displays intricate patterns on its feathers, with a mix of brown, blue, and other colors, while the bird behind it showcases similar features and coloring. The landscape in the background stretches out with rolling hills and a winding river, painted in earth tones and blues, creating a natural setting. The style is reminiscent of John James Audubon, known for his detailed portrayal of birds.
Robert Havell, Jr., Californian Partridge, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.413

Californian Partridge

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.413
A dark pink flamingo stands on a shallow outcropping, craning its neck down toward a pool of pale blue water in this vertical print. Shown in profile facing our left, the bird has a curving tan, orange, and black bill, and the eye we can see is bright blue. One charcoal-gray feather tucks under its wing, but the rest of the feathers and its legs are deep rose pink. One webbed foot steps forward, toward the edge of the low, rocky outcropping at the water’s edge. Muted green growth covers the ground, and the exposed edge of the rock is brown. Pale blue water extends back to the horizon, which comes about a third of the way up the composition. Eight pale pink and white flamingos, small in scale in the distance, walk or stand near sandbars in the placid waterway. The sky has a narrow band of light blue along the horizon, and the rest of the background is white. Across the top of the page, nine anatomical drawings, seeming to be lightly sketched, float against the white background. They are details of the bird’s beak, tongue, and foot. Each is numbered from one to nine. In the upper left corner of the paper, text reads, “No. 87.” and in the upper right, “Plate CCCCXXXI.” An inscription in the center margin below the printed image reads, “America Flamingo, PHOENICOPTERUS RUBERT, Linn. Old Male.” To the left is a numbered key: “1. Profile view of Bill at its greatest extension. 2. Superior front view of upper Mandible 3. Interior front view of upper Mandible. 4. Interior front view of lower Mandible. 5. Interior front view of lower Mandible with the Tongue in.” It continues to the right: “6. Profile view of Tongue. 7. Superior front view of Tongue. 8. Inferior front view of Tongue. 9. Perpendicular front view of the foot fully expanded.” Smaller text under the lower left corner of the printed image reads, “Drawn from Nature by J. J. Audubon, F.R.S. F.L.S.” And to the right: “Engraved. Printed and Coloured by Rob. Havell. 1838.”
Robert Havell, Jr., American Flamingo, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.431

American Flamingo

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.431
This is a detailed painting of two birds perched on rocky cliffs overlooking a cascading waterfall. The birds have varying shades of brown, gray, and yellow on their feathers and claws. They are positioned on the cliffs, with one bird descending towards the water and the other about to leap off the higher cliff. The rocks contrast with the flowing water below. In the background, distant mountains rise under a pale sky. The style of the painting suggests it is part of a nature or ornithological illustration series.
Robert Havell, Jr., Columbian Water Ouzel and Arctic Water Ouzel, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.435

Columbian Water Ouzel and Arctic Water Ouzel

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.435
This is a painting of two oystercatchers on a rocky shoreline. The scene features a pair of birds: one with vivid red legs and a bright red beak, characterized by dark plumage and a striking orange eye. The other bird has one leg visible and a beak pointed downward, appearing to inspect or forage near shells on the rock surface. The background shows a gradual transition from earth tones of the rocks to soft blues of the sky and water.
Robert Havell, Jr., White-Legged Oyster-Catcher and Slender-Billed Oyster-Catcher, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.427

White-Legged Oyster-Catcher and Slender-Billed Oyster-Catcher

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.427
This image shows a side view of two terns on a rocky outcrop overlooking a serene body of water. The horizon, distant landforms, and scattered buildings provide a backdrop. The terns are depicted with detailed brushstrokes capturing their feathers and patterns. The color palette includes blues, grays, whites, and warm earth tones. The sky transitions from pale blue to a soft blush near the horizon. Variegated seashells and stones are scattered around the terns.
Robert Havell, Jr., Havell's Tern and Trudeau's Tern, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.409

Havell's Tern and Trudeau's Tern

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.409
This is a painting of a pelican standing on a rocky shore. The painting features a detailed depiction of a pelican, with its large beak open. The pelican is prominently placed in the foreground, showcasing its feather patterns and the textures between the bird's beak and feathers. In the background, a coastal landscape stretches into the distance, with calm waters, sandy shores, and a lighthouse against a blue sky with grey clouds. The color palette includes earthy tones for the bird and blues and greys for the seascape, creating a harmonious scene. This is in style of John James Audubon.
Robert Havell, Jr., Brown Pelican, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.421

Brown Pelican

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.421
The image shows a tree with woodpeckers perched on its branches. The color palette includes blacks, whites, browns, and subtle shades of red and yellow on the birds. One woodpecker has a red accent on its head, and another is looking upwards. Other woodpeckers are scattered on the branches, some with their heads facing downwards and others facing forward. The background is off-white.
Robert Havell, Jr., Maria's Woodpecker, 1838, hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James, 1945.8.417

Maria's Woodpecker

Robert Havell, Jr. · 1838 · hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper ·  Accession ID  1945.8.417