The Daughters of Zelophehad, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery" 1865 - 1881

This image, "The Daughters of Zelophehad," comes from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery," a project that reproduced paintings as wood engravings. Wood engraving is a relief printmaking technique, using the end-grain of a block of wood, which allows for fine detail. Here, the Dalziel brothers, as they were known, expertly translate Pickersgill's painting. Look closely, and you can see the crisp lines that define the figures, and the tonal gradations achieved by varying the density of marks. The process involved a division of labor. Pickersgill created the original design, while the Dalziels skillfully carved the block. This collaboration highlights the intersection of artistic vision and technical skill. Wood engraving was a key technology for mass media in the 19th century, making images widely accessible. In this context, consider the labor involved, not only in the artistic creation, but also in the production and distribution of printed material. This print underscores how images are tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption.