
Read the visual description
This is a painting of swallows flying and nesting near cliffs. The image displays a combination of vibrant violet-green and bank swallows in action above a cliffside, showcasing their colorful plumage against a pale sky. Numerous swallows are depicted in flight or near a nest set in the rock face of the cliff. The artwork emphasizes the grace and motion of the birds, highlighting their streamlined bodies and delicate wings as they inhabit the natural rocky environment. This painting is done in the style of John James Audubon.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Bank Swallow and Violet-green Swallow
Robert Havell after John James Audubon
- Date
- 1837
- Medium
- hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1945.8.385
- 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 CCCLXXXV
Subjects and terms
- American
- etching
- aquatint
- bird
- animal
- Rock
NGA object ID 32526. 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.