Black Tern

1835

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

The image shows two black terns. The larger bird stands on a rock, while the other is flying. The standing bird is positioned near the bottom center of the image on a light brown rock against a serene background of calm blue water and a distant landscape. The sky is light blue with subtle white clouds. The flying bird dives downwards from the upper left towards the bottom right, displaying its pale gray underbelly and black-tipped wings. The colors in the image include shades of black, gray, blue, and brown.

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

  • Accession Number

    1945.8.280

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Birds of America, no. 280


Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1827

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

Wikidata ID

Q65083246

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