Thomas Bewick (1753-1828)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1800 - 1829
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
590 x 490 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Cherryburn, Northumberland
NT 530359
Caption
Thomas Bewick, born at Cherryburn, a house in the village of Mickley, Northumberland, was a renowned engraver and natural history author. He apprenticed with the glass-engraver Ralph Beilby in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1767 and became a partner in the business soon after. He is credited with popularising graphic art by employing the technical innovation in printing of using metal-engraving tools to cut hard boxwood across the grain (xylography). The result is high quality illustration with superb minute detail at a low price. He illustrated, wrote and published his own books and is especially known for A General History of Quadrupeds (1790), A History of British Birds (1797-1804) and various editions of Aesop’s Fables.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), British (English) School, early 19th century. A half-length portrait, turned slightly to the left, gazing at the spectator, wearing a brown coat, yellow waistcoat and frilled shirt. Receding short cropped hair.
Provenance
On loan
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist