Iceland or Jer Falcon

Art Historical Context

Behold the majestic *Iceland or Jer Falcon a stunning 1837 hand-colored engraving and aquat by Robert Havell, reproducing John James Audubon's original. This print hails from Audubon's groundbreaking *Birds of America* series (1827–8), one of the ambitious natural history publications ever produced. Audubon, a pioneering ornithologist and artist, sought to depict every known North American bird species at life size, revolutionizing scientific illustration with his dynamic, naturalistic poses that captured birds in vivid, lifelike motion against dramatic landscapes. Havell's masterful technique—combining fine-line engraving for intricate details with aquatint for subtle tonal gradients—brought Audubon's vision to life on high-quality Whatman wove paper. The hand-coloring, applied by skilled artisans, infuses the falcon's piercing gaze, sleek feathers, and poised stance with breathtaking realism and color depth. Measuring nearly 39 by 26 inches, this double-elephant folio print exemplifies the era's technical innovation, making natural wonders accessible to collectors and scholars. A gift to the National Gallery of Art, this work underscores Audubon's enduring legacy in blending art and science, inspiring generations to appreciate avian beauty and biodiversity. Gaze upon it and feel the wild spirit of the Arctic falcon soaring into view.

About the Artist

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

Robert Havell Jr., born on November 25, 1793, in Reading, Berkshire, England, was the son of renowned engraver and publisher Robert Havell Sr. and Lydia Miller Phillips. Growing up in a family of artists that included notable engravers and etchers, he trained under his father, mastering aquatint techniques early on. Though briefly estranged from the family business, Havell reconciled with his fath...