Why wood engraving is still being used today Dissertation

Why wood engraving is still being used today - Dissertation Example The print is made on a block of wood and portions of wood are carved to bring the image on it. It has enormous appeal and aesthetic value, which made it a distinctive art form to create and admire. Unlike copper and steel engraving, wood engraving had an organic element to it, which made it an art to be cherished the wood engraved art forms are known for its ornamental beauty and attraction and had its origin in the eighteenth century. Wood engraving is one of the important relief processes apart from wood cut and linocut and is used till today for its elegance and antiquity. Wood engraving is in essence only a form of wood cut, but in effect and appearance it is quiet different. Wood engraving is the art of creating figures on the wooden block and was a very valuable art form in the olden times. The wood engraving art was previously known to the ancient Egyptians and they used it on rings and stamps. 1 The custom of stamping bricks in this manner was very general both with the Egypt ians and ancient Babylonians. Even the Greeks and Romans also practiced this art before the introduction of book printing .Chinese men also had the history of wood engraving in early period of time. It is believed that this art form got introduced to Europe in the late thirteenth century by some travelers visited the place. 1Chatto, W.A. (2005). A history of wood-engraving. Retrieved from http://www.antiquemapsandprint s.com/a-history-of-wood-engraving.htm The History of Wood Engraving Wood engraving gave a golden chance to European countries to grow out of olden wood cutting tradition. It is very difficult and impossible to trace the real origin of wood engraving as reflection of this art can be seen in many civilizations. 2 No man or group of men has been able to trace definitely the origin of the ancient art wood engraving. It was in sixteenth and fifteenth century; this art has got prominence by producing art works of unique beauty and precision. The Chinese, Greeks and Romans i n ancient times used this art form to produce various images and figures. Before the arrival of mechanized printing the Chinese people used wood block printing which was a type of wood engraving work. The art of printing with wooden blocks were prevalent in China before 600 century and Europeans brought this art from Chinese land. The Chinese have wooden engraved wooden block which is used for their complex characters and symbols and were superior in quality than that of the European counterparts. Moreover, the Egyptians and Babylonians also used wooden engraving to make stamps on documents and impressions for the benefit of royal families. After the nineteenth century, the influence of the Gothic students on Spain brought about monograms and stamps made out of wooden engraving. This practice was mainly done to overcome the inefficiency and inaccuracy of hand writings. It is believed that around thirteenth and fourteenth centuries Italian and German officials used frequently wooden engraved stamps to affix their official documents. 2Furner, J.W. (2010). A history of wood engraving. Retrieved from http://typocurious.com/a-history-of wood-engraving/ However today‘s form of wooden engraving can be dedicated to Thomas Berwick who was the pioneer of wood engraving art. Thomas Bewick was born on August 12th in county of Northumber and his father name was John Bewick who was a land scale colliery by profession. Unfortunately, Thomas displayed a high skill in early years of his life and this can be contributed to his ability to observe natural objects and manifest them in his work.3Thomas was apprentice at the age of fourteen, to Mr. Ralph Beilbey of lived Newcastle. He was a respectable copper engraver, and had very much reputation in the