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Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Dusky Petrel

1836

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

Associated Names

Robert Havell, Jr.

Artist, American, born England, 1793 - 1878

John James Audubon

Artist After, American, 1785 - 1851

This is a painting of a bird swimming in the sea with cliffs in the background. The image depicts a dusky petrel floating on the water, with a distinct coloration pattern, sharp eye, and distinctive beak. Its feet are partially visible beneath the water, one leg extended showing webbed feet. The sea has gentle waves, and there are distant cliffs under a subtly colored sky.

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Artwork overview

Medium

hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James
Accession Number

1945.8.299
Catalogue Raisonné

Birds of America, no. 299

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1827

Audubon, John James. The Birds of America. London: 1827-1838.

Wikidata ID

Q65083324

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