Passenger Pigeon

1829

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

In this print, two pigeons are perched on tree branches. One pigeon is perched above the other and bends its head downward. The bird on the bottom lifts its head up to meet the higher bird. The birds are interacting, with the closed beak of the higher bird inside the open beak of the lower bird. The pigeon on the bottom has a reddish breast, a sky-blue head and body, and blue wings with black and gray tips, and it stands on a dark a branch covered in light blue lichen. The other pigeon has earth-toned brown and soft blue plumage with black markings, and it perches on a lighter brown branch with light red lichen. Dried brown leaves hang from the upper branch, and the background is plain paper.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James

  • Dimensions

    plate: 65.7 x 52.7 cm (25 7/8 x 20 3/4 in.)
    sheet: 101 x 68 cm (39 3/4 x 26 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1945.8.62

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Birds of America, no. 62


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

Q65082462

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