Naomi and the Child Obed, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery" 1863 - 1881

Simeon Solomon created this print, "Naomi and the Child Obed," as part of Dalziels' Bible Gallery. It is made using wood engraving. The process involved translating an image onto a block of wood, then meticulously carving away the negative space. Look closely, and you will notice the density of marks that create areas of dark shadow as well as the more sparsely engraved areas, that allow light to reflect off the page. This technique, which requires an immense amount of labor, results in an image of great tonal subtlety. Wood engraving was a common method for mass-producing illustrations, particularly in books and periodicals. The Dalziel brothers, who commissioned this work, were among the most successful wood engravers of their time. The labor-intensive nature of this process, and its association with commercial reproduction, often led to wood engraving being seen as a craft rather than a fine art. But works like Solomon's demonstrates the expressive potential of this medium. It challenges these conventional hierarchies of art and labor.