Robert Ii Havell Paintings

Robert Havell Jr. was a notable British engraver and painter, best known for his collaboration with the American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter John James Audubon on the latter's seminal work, 'The Birds of America.' Born on November 25, 1793, in Reading, Berkshire, England, he was the son of Robert Havell Sr., who was also an engraver and publisher.

Robert Havell Jr. began working with his father at their family-run printing shop in London, where they specialized in fine aquatint engraving. In 1827, Havell Jr. started working with Audubon on 'The Birds of America.' He was responsible for producing the aquatint plates and oversaw the coloring of the printed images. The project was a massive undertaking, and Havell's contribution was crucial in bringing Audubon's detailed illustrations to life in print form.

The collaboration with Audubon lasted for several years, and 'The Birds of America' was published as a series between 1827 and 1838. It became one of the most important and magnificent ornithological works ever completed, renowned for its high quality and the size of its illustrations.

After the completion of 'The Birds of America,' Havell continued to work as an engraver, but he also pursued a career in painting. In 1839, he emigrated to the United States and settled in Ossining, New York. Havell's work as a painter often focused on landscapes, and he traveled extensively to find inspiration for his artwork.

During his later years, Havell became increasingly interested in the Hudson River School, a mid-19th-century American art movement embodied by a group of landscape painters whose aesthetic vision was influenced by romanticism. His paintings from this period reflect the movement's characteristic celebration of the natural beauty of the American landscape.

Robert Havell Jr. passed away on November 11, 1878, in Tarrytown, New York. His legacy is preserved through his contributions to 'The Birds of America' and his landscape paintings, which offered a unique blend of British and American artistic traditions.