Description

This post is also available in: Nederlands

Thomas Bewick (circa August 11, 1753 – November 8, 1828) was an English engraver and author of natural history. At the start of his career he took on all kinds of work, such as engraving cutlery, making the logs for advertisements and illustrating children’s books. He gradually devoted himself to illustrating, writing and publishing his own books. He got from an adult audience through the beautiful illustrations in A History of Quadrupeds. His career began when he was apprenticed to engraver Ralph Beilby in Newcastle upon Tyne. He became a partner in the company and eventually took over. Students trained by Bewick are John Anderson, Luke Clennell and William Harvey, who in turn were known as painters and engravers. Bewick is best known for its A History of British Birds, which today is mainly admired for its wood carvings, especially the small, sharply perceived and often humorous vignettes known as tail pieces. The book was the precursor of all modern field guides. He illustrated in particular editions of Aesop’s Fables throughout his life. He is credited with popularizing a technical innovation in printing wood illustrations. He took metal engraving tools to cut hard boxwood through the grain, producing blocks that could be integrated with the metal type, but were much more durable than traditional woodcuts. The result was a high-quality illustration at a low price.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bewick