A treatise on wood engravings : historical and practical . en projDOunded on the subject. The right leg of Dentatus in Mr. Harveys large wood engravingafter Mr. Haydons picture is perhaps the most beautiful specimen ofcross-hatching that ever was executed on wood; and, in my opinion, itis the best engraved part of the whole subject. Through the kindnessof Mr. Harvey, I have obtained a cast of this portion of the block,from which the present impression is printed. The lines showing themuscular rotundity and action of the limb are as admirably laid in asthey are beautifully engraved. In the wide
A treatise on wood engravings : historical and practical . en projDOunded on the subject. The right leg of Dentatus in Mr. Harveys large wood engravingafter Mr. Haydons picture is perhaps the most beautiful specimen ofcross-hatching that ever was executed on wood; and, in my opinion, itis the best engraved part of the whole subject. Through the kindnessof Mr. Harvey, I have obtained a cast of this portion of the block,from which the present impression is printed. The lines showing themuscular rotundity and action of the limb are as admirably laid in asthey are beautifully engraved. In the wider and stronger cross-hatchings THE PEACTICE OF WOOD ENGEAVING. 601 of the drapery above, the small black touches previously mentioned areperceived in the lozenge-shaped interstices. From an opinion that the excellence of an engraving consists chieflyin the difficulty of its execution, we now frequently find cross-hatchingsin several modern wood-cuts, more especially in such as are manufac-tured for the French market, where a better effect would have been. produced by simpler means. Cross-hatchings, properly introduced,undoubtedly improve a subject; and some parts of large figures, suchas the leg of Dentatus, cannot be well expressed without their aid, asa series of curved lines on a limb, when not crossed, generally cause itto appear stiff and rigid. By crossing them, however, by other linesproperly laid in, the part assumes a most soft and natural appearance. f^02 THE PRACTICE OF WOOD ENGRAVING. As the greatest advantage which wood engraving possesses overcopper is the effective manner in which strongly contrasted light andshade can be represented, Eembrandts etchings,—which, like hispaintings, are distinguished by the skilful management of the chiaro-scuro—form excellent studies for the engraver or designer on wood whoshould wish to become well acquainted with the capabilities of the delicate wood-cut, executed in imitation of a smooth steel-engravingof sober grey t
Size: 1304px × 1917px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectwoodengraving, bookye
