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Townsend's Sandpiper

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of two birds in flight above a body of water. The birds are depicted a mid-flight, showcasing intricate details in their feathers and varying tones of grey, black, and white. The lower bird has darker plumage with distinct white markings on its wings and a sharp, pointed beak. The upper bird appears lighter in color with a combination of grey and white feathers and a slender, elongated body. The background is minimal with a soft gradient representing the sky and a subtle suggestion of the horizon line above the blue expanse of water.

Artwork Details

Date
1838
Medium
hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
Dimensions
2377 × 2757 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
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