Tropic Bird

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of two white and black birds with long tails near a body of water. The full description of the image shows one bird perched on a rock, and another in mid-flight, with both birds exhibiting long, elegant tail feathers. The bird on the rock is facing slightly to the right, with bright yellow feet visible, and an ocean with gentle waves extends across the background under a moody sky filled with dark clouds. The detailed brushwork highlights the textures of the birds' feathers, the rock's surface, and the subtle undulations of the water. This is in the style of John James Audubon.