Eagle Owl
- Artist: Dame Elisabeth Frink
- Date: 1972–3
- Medium: Lithograph on paper
- Dimensions: image: 775 x 571 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the “Eagle Owl” by Dame Elisabeth Frink. Frink, a celebrated British sculptor, also worked in printmaking, and this lithograph from 1972–73 shows her keen eye for animal form. The image captures an owl in a poised stance, its wings slightly spread as if on the verge of flight. The dark, almost charcoal‑like tones give the bird a sense of quiet strength, while the subtle shading around the eyes brings a touch of realism to the stylised silhouette.
The print is on paper, a medium Frink chose to explore texture and line in a way that complements her sculptural practice. It was presented to the collection by Curwen Studio in 1977 and is now part of the Birds exhibition, which brings together a range of works that celebrate avian subjects.
Take a moment to look at the detail in the feathers—Frink’s marks are deliberate and rhythmic, echoing the bird’s own silent grace. The composition invites you to think about the owl’s symbolism—wisdom, mystery, the quiet vigilance of nature. It’s a small but powerful reminder that even in a print, Frink could capture the essence of an animal in motion.
See it in person
Eagle Owl is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
