After Thomas Bewick, Bird on a Rocky Bank

Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), of Cherryburn in Northumberland, is usually called the founder of wood engraving. He cut fine detail into the end grain of boxwood, so his blocks could print on the same page as type. His ‘History of British Birds’ (1797 and 1804) was the first field guide for non-specialists.

This image is enlarged from one of his bird engravings. With its dark mask and white eyebrow, the bird appears to be a wheatear. It stands on a stony bank among grasses and weeds, with a few courses of stonework at lower right.

Printed in black on linen, unsigned. In a grey-painted frame with a beaded outer edge and a patterned inner slip.