Ruddy Plover
Medium
hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
Classification
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James
Accession Number
1945.8.230
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Ruddy Plover* (1834), a stunning hand-colored engraving and aquatint by Robert Havell, meticulously crafted after the original watercolor by John James Audubon. print hails from Audubon's monumental *Birds of America*, a landmark publication (1827–1838) that revolutionized ornithological illustration by depicting North American birds at life size in dynamic, naturalistic poses. Audubon's passion for wildlife preservation shines through, capturing the ruddy plover—a shorebird with vibrant plumage—amidst its habitat, blending scientific accuracy with artistic flair. Havell's mastery...
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...