Pair of engravings drawn and engraved by R. Havell Jun. Framed in 1959
Absolutely! You're likely referring to Robert Havell Jr. (1793 - 1878), a distinguished English engraver and painter. Here's a breakdown of his life and work:
Background
- Family of Artists: Robert Havell Jr. was born into a prominent family of artists and engravers in Reading, Berkshire, England. His father, Robert Havell Sr., was also a renowned engraver.
- American Travels: In 1839, Havell Jr. emigrated to the United States and settled in Tarrytown, New York.
Notable Works
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Audubon Collaboration: Robert Havell Jr. is most famous for his extensive collaboration with John James Audubon on the monumental work "The Birds of America." Havell Jr. meticulously engraved the majority of the plates based on Audubon's breathtaking paintings, producing over 400 hand-colored aquatints.
Landscape Engravings: Additionally, Havell Jr. was a skilled landscape painter and engraver. He created beautiful views of the Hudson River Valley and other American landscapes.
Legacy
Robert Havell Jr. is remembered as a masterful engraver whose skill and precision helped bring Audubon's iconic bird illustrations to life. His contributions to "The Birds of America" solidified his place in the history of natural history illustration.
Where to Find His Work
Many of his engravings can be found in museums and private collections around the world. Some notable institutions with collections of his work include:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
- The Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington D.C.)
- The Amon Carter Museum of American Art (Fort Worth, Texas)