Artist/Maker John James Audubon (1785 – 1851)

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), Study for Havell pl. 401

ca. 1833–1834

Watercolor, pastel, black ink, graphite, black chalk, and gouache with scratching out and selective glazing on paper, partially gridded in graphite [rubbed] to indicate to engraver placement of the background, laid on card

Mat: 39 x 53 in. (99.1 x 134.6 cm)
Sheet (paper): 25 1/8 × 37 3/8 in. (63.8 × 94.9 cm)

Purchased for the Society by public subscription from Mrs. John J. Audubon

1863.17.401

DescriptionFemale, left; male, right; this sheet has a notation to include a "New York waterfall", that was instead used in Havell plate no. 331, Common Merganser, which has a view of Cohoes Falls, New York, where Audubon was in the summer of 1824.

MarkingsWatermark: JWHATMAN / 1831 [reversed]

InscribedInscribed at lower right of center in graphite: "Red breasted Merganser -- Male 1. Female 2"; at middle right of center: "View of New York waterfall...here."; verso inscriptions in brown ink illegible

ClassificationsDRAWINGS

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