The Mocking Bird

1827

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 print features four birds and a rattlesnake surrounding a nest that is nestled among yellow flowering vines. The snake is in the center of the print, its mouth open and teeth visible as it lunges to the left towards one of the birds. Another bird is behind it, appearing to peck its yellow eye. Two more birds perch on branches above the nest, looking down. Two of the four birds have blue bodies, and two have black-and-white bodies; they all have black-and-white wings and tails. The nest in the center of the tangle of sticks and flowering vines contains a few small, blue-green eggs. The background behind the nest and birds is beige paper.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James

  • Dimensions

    plate: 84.4 x 60 cm (33 1/4 x 23 5/8 in.)
    sheet: 99.5 x 66.5 cm (39 3/16 x 26 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1945.8.21

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Birds of America, no. 21

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

2005

  • Audubon's Dream Realized: Selections from "The Birds of America". The National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2005.

Bibliography

1827

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

Wikidata ID

Q65082309

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