Items Similar to Important 18th Century, American School Bald Eagle Drawing Attr William Bartram
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Important 18th Century, American School Bald Eagle Drawing Attr William Bartram
About the Item
Title: Eagle Head
Artist: Attributed to William Bartram (American, 1739–1823)
Date: Late 18th century
Medium: Pen and ink on laid paper
Dimensions: 13.5 × 15.875 in. (framed)
This compelling drawing of an eagle’s head, rendered in delicate pen and ink on laid paper, is here attributed to William Bartram, the esteemed American naturalist, ornithologist, and artist whose late 18th-century work helped define the early scientific and aesthetic documentation of the American wilderness. The drawing exemplifies Bartram’s distinctive synthesis of scientific observation and artistic expression, with precise anatomical attention given to the curve of the beak, the contour of the feathers, and the raptor’s penetrating gaze.
Bartram’s known interest in birds of prey—especially the bald eagle, which he admired both for its symbolic and ecological importance—makes this rendering particularly resonant. The drawing’s formal qualities, such as its rhythmic cross-hatching and expressive modeling of form, align closely with other known works and field sketches by Bartram, whose influence extended to later naturalists including Alexander Wilson and John James Audubon.
Though unsigned, the drawing's technique, paper type, and subject matter strongly suggest Bartram’s authorship or his direct circle, and it may have been intended either as a study for a larger composition or as part of a naturalist's field portfolio. Surviving examples of Bartram’s field drawings are exceedingly rare, making this an especially valuable and evocative artifact from the early history of American scientific art.
Provenance: Formerly held in the General Electric Art Program Collection.
- Dimensions:Height: 13.5 in (34.29 cm)Width: 15.875 in (40.33 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Style:American Colonial (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:18th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Drawing with some areas of paper wrinkling, frame does show wear commensurate with age and use.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7838244449102
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2012
1stDibs seller since 2022
199 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: South Easton, MA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All19th Century, American Pencil Drawing of Ann Eugene Dalton Circa 1888.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Wonderful pencil on paper drawing.
Exhibited portrait from the David S Ramus Gallery, Atlanta GA.
Category
Antique 19th Century American Drawings
Materials
Giltwood, Paper
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Collection of 4 Antique Ship Graphite Drawings Attributed to William Bradford
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional set of four original graphite-on-paper maritime drawings originates from a New Bedford, Massachusetts estate, a region historically known for its whaling and maritim...
Category
Antique 19th Century American Drawings
Materials
Paper
Grand Tour Neoclassical Allegorical Drawing on Paper, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This artwork is a finely executed ink drawing with wash, possibly from the late 18th or early 19th century, bearing an inscription that reads, "The letter killeth but the spirit give...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Drawings
Materials
Giltwood, Paper
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Era Architectural Drawing on Paper, Framed
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early 18th or 19th century architectural concept drawing of opposing lions with marble top likely as a console table. Marked in early ink to lower r...
Category
Antique 19th Century Drawings
Materials
Paper
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Grand Tour Pencil Drawing "Remains of the Parthenon" Fine Carved Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charles Lamson Swasey (American New Bedford Massachusetts, 1815-1888).
This wonderful grand tour graphite on paper drawing was done in December 1839 and depicts the remains of the ...
Category
Antique 19th Century American Grand Tour Drawings
Materials
Wood, Paper
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century, American School "The Monk" Ship Nautical Watercolor
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century, American.
This finely executed 19th-century American watercolor captures a dynamic maritime scene featuring the ship The Monk as its central subject. The vessel, depi...
Category
Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Paintings
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
You May Also Like
Drawing, Flemish School, 18th Century
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Ancient Ruins with Strollers.
Brown wash and graphite.
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Drawings
Materials
Paper
$1,920 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Red Chalk Drawing, 18th Century Italian School
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Nude male academy.
Red chalk on paper.
While the artist who drew this drawing is not known, the confidence in the trait along with the fascinating perspect...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Drawings
Materials
Paper
Drawing, 18th Century French School, the Sedan Chair
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Two men with a cab or the Sedan chair, in the style of Touzé.
Bears collector's stamp (possibly the eye-form mark of Nathaniel Hone) and inscribed indi...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Drawings
Neoclassical Drawing of Roman Ruins, 18th Century French School
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Neoclassical capriccio view of majestic Roman ruins with small figures engaged in daily activities in the background.
Pencil, ink and wash on paper. Set in a Louis XVI style giltwood...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Drawings
Materials
Paper
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century French Drawing
Located in Madrid, ES
18th Century French Drawing
18TH CENTURY FRENCH DRAWING PORTRAIT OF A LADY FROM THE 18TH CENTURY DONE IN PASTEL THE FRAME IS BACK IN GOLDEN WOOD ...
Category
Antique 18th Century French Baroque Drawings
Materials
Wood, Paste
Pair of Neoclassical Landscape Drawings, French School, Late 18th Century
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Depicting a pastoral scene and a hillside view.
Ink on paper.
One is signed Waudelaincourt fecit
Antoine Hubert Wandelaincourt, French (1731-1819).
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Drawings
Materials
Paper
