Horned Grebe

Description:

Robert Havell Jr. engraved this copper plate in 1835 for John James Audubon's publication, the Birds of America, published in Britain between 1827 and 1838 as a series of large folio engravings. The Museum's Graphic Arts Collection includes seven of the original copper plates and prints from several editions of the work.

The Birds of America was published in several formats. The first large folio edition was intended for wealthy patrons or institutions. Later editions, produced in the United States for a more general audience, included text and smaller, less costly lithographic illustrations.

Audubon introduced new species and new artistic forms. His dramatic images of birds, pictured life-size in animated poses with realistic backgrounds, represented a departure from the conventions of natural history illustration. His artistic ingenuity, as reproduced in engravings and lithographs, won new audiences for the subject of nature study, eventually leading to the organization of Audubon societies.

Date Made: 1835

Referenced: Havell, Jr., RobertAudubon, John JamesOriginal Artist: Audubon, John JamesGraphic Artist: Havell, Jr., Robert

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United Kingdom: England, London

Subject: PrintmakingBirds

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Graphic Arts, Natural Resources, Art

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History

Credit Line: Gift of W. E. Dodge, Jr.

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: GA.00927Accession Number: 1884.015094Catalog Number: 00927Accession Number: 15094

Object Name: plateplate, printingObject Type: printing platesEngravingOther Terms: plate; Engraving; Etching

Physical Description: copper (overall material)Measurements: overall: 38.5 cm x 53.6 cm x 2.9 mm; 15 5/32 in x 21 3/32 in x 1/8 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-dae3-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_795572

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.