This is print of two barn owls perched on the branches of a leafless tree against a dark sky, with a landscape of a distant river lined with trees visible below. The owl at the top of the painting has its wings spread, and it holds a small brown chipmunk in one claw, gripping the creature's head. The other owl is on a lower branch, and it has its wings partially raised and its beak is open, looking up towards the chipmunk held by the other owl. The feather patterns on both birds are detailed, showing the white on their faces, underbellies, and beneath their wings, as well as the warm brown tones of their heads, backs, and wings. The sky behind them is dark blue-gray.
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This is print of two barn owls perched on the branches of a leafless tree against a dark sky, with a landscape of a distant river lined with trees visible below. The owl at the top of the painting has its wings spread, and it holds a small brown chipmunk in one claw, gripping the creature's head. The other owl is on a lower branch, and it has its wings partially raised and its beak is open, looking up towards the chipmunk held by the other owl. The feather patterns on both birds are detailed, showing the white on their faces, underbellies, and beneath their wings, as well as the warm brown tones of their heads, backs, and wings. The sky behind them is dark blue-gray.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Barn Owl

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

Date
1833
Medium
hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
Dimensions
plate: 97.5 x 65.5 cm (38 3/8 x 25 13/16 in.) sheet: 100.5 x 68.3 cm (39 9/16 x 26 7/8 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1945.8.171
Credit line
Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-W

Portfolio and series

Series
The Birds of America: Plate CLXXI

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • etching
  • Landscape
  • aquatint
  • bird
  • animal
  • Tree
  • River

NGA object ID 32312. 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.