Louisiana hawk
1827-1838
Featuring the Louisiana Hawk (now known as the Harris's Hawk), this striking print showcases a raptor with dramatic rust-colored shoulders and a sharp, hooked beak gripping a branch. Created by the legendary naturalist John James Audubon for his massive book 'The Birds of America,' the piece is a prime example of 19th-century scientific illustration. Audubon had a rather grisly method: he would shoot birds and use wires to pose them in lifelike, dynamic positions before painting them. The text at the bottom reveals it was engraved and colored by Robert Havell, making it a highly sought-after collector's item today.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper
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