Book Illustration n.d.

Thomas Bewick made this wood engraving in Britain in the late 18th or early 19th century. In this tiny scene, we see a bull charging towards a man, a rural drama played out with remarkable detail. The image operates within a tradition of British art that valued depictions of rural life, reflecting the social and economic structures of the time. Bewick's work, however, also offered a critical perspective. At this time, enclosure laws pushed many rural people off the land. Wood engraving allowed for mass production, making art accessible to a wider audience and providing a means of social commentary. Was Bewick commenting on the disruptions of rural life caused by these laws? Further research into the artist’s life, the publications in which his work appeared, and the social history of rural Britain will help us better understand the role of art in shaping social consciousness.