Joseph Distributes Corn, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery" 1864 - 1881

Edward John Poynter created this engraving, "Joseph Distributes Corn," using the labor-intensive process of wood engraving. Look closely, and you'll see a network of fine lines, meticulously carved into the woodblock. This was no small feat; each line had to be precise to create the tonal variations and details you see here. This print was part of a larger project, "Dalziels' Bible Gallery," which aimed to bring religious scenes to a wider audience through mass-produced images. The very act of reproducing artwork through engraving speaks to the social context of the time. It reflects both a desire for accessibility, and the division of labor inherent in industrialized art production. Poynter created the original design, but skilled engravers, likely working for the Dalziel brothers, translated it into a printable form. This blurring of the lines between artist and artisan raises important questions about creativity, labor, and the value we place on different forms of making.