This is a painting depicting five birds perched on branches and grass. The birds are uniquely colored and posed, sitting on various levels of a thin, winding branch and on the ground among grass. The topmost bird has pinkish hues and a red cap. A bird below it has bright yellow plumage with black wings. Another bird is grayish and rests on the branch's end, while the bird on the right has warm orange and black feathers. The painting emphasizes precise lines and delicate coloring to detail the birds' feathers and markings. The background subtly gives an impression of distance, evoking an open natural space. This piece is stylistically reminiscent of John James Audubon.
Read the visual description

This is a painting depicting five birds perched on branches and grass. The birds are uniquely colored and posed, sitting on various levels of a thin, winding branch and on the ground among grass. The topmost bird has pinkish hues and a red cap. A bird below it has bright yellow plumage with black wings. Another bird is grayish and rests on the branch's end, while the bird on the right has warm orange and black feathers. The painting emphasizes precise lines and delicate coloring to detail the birds' feathers and markings. The background subtly gives an impression of distance, evoking an open natural space. This piece is stylistically reminiscent of John James Audubon.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Arkansaw Siskin, Mealy Red-poll, Louisiana Tanager, Townsend's Finch and Buff-breasted Finch

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

Date
1837
Medium
hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
Classification
Print
Accession number
1945.8.400
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 CCCC

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • etching
  • aquatint
  • plant
  • bird
  • animal
  • Grass
  • Wood

NGA object ID 32541. 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.