Museum Collections
Luce Center
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Havell plate no. 321
Object Number:
1863.17.321
Date:
c. 1831-32; 1836
Medium:
Watercolor, graphite, gouache, and black ink with touches of glazing on paper, laid on Japanese paper
Dimensions:
Paper: 23 1/8 x 35 11/16 in. (58.7 x 90.6 cm)
Mat: 39 x 53 in. (99.1 x 134.6 cm)
Inscriptions:
On verso at upper right in graphite, revealed after removal from mount: "[cut] to end of[illegible] / to end of claws -- 36 " -- / Alar extent -- 51" -- / weight -- 3-- lb 14 ozes. / Florida Keyes May 23d 1832 / J.J A / drawn at London 1836"
Description:
Adult, breeding plumage; the background, only a vague sketch in the watercolor, was finished for Havell plate no. 321, probably by George Lehman, ca. 1800 – 1870 or the engraver Robert Havell Jr.
Gallery Label:
In danger of extinction at the beginning of the 20th century, it survives today because it is protected by conservation laws
Credit Line:
Purchased for the Society by public subscription from Mrs. John J. Audubon
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.