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This is a painting of two kingfishers in flight and one perched, holding a fish in its beak. The scene shows one kingfisher diving in the air while another is perched on a tree stump by a river. The background features a flowing river, rocky riverbanks, and distant mountains under a clear sky. The kingfishers exhibit detailed feathers with vivid blues against a soft background, portraying the tranquility of nature. The painting style is reminiscent of John James Audubon.
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This is a painting of two kingfishers in flight and one perched, holding a fish in its beak. The scene shows one kingfisher diving in the air while another is perched on a tree stump by a river. The background features a flowing river, rocky riverbanks, and distant mountains under a clear sky. The kingfishers exhibit detailed feathers with vivid blues against a soft background, portraying the tranquility of nature. The painting style is reminiscent of John James Audubon.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Belted Kingsfisher

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

Date
1830
Medium
hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
Dimensions
plate: 65.5 x 52.6 cm (25 13/16 x 20 11/16 in.) sheet: 100.5 x 67.5 cm (39 9/16 x 26 9/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1945.8.77
Credit line
Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-W
Original NGA record Wikidata

Portfolio and series

Series
The Birds of America: Plate LXXVII

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • etching
  • aquatint
  • plant
  • bird
  • animal
  • fish
  • Tree
  • Water
  • River

NGA object ID 32218. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.