The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in 18 Volumes (1907–21).
Volume XIV. The Victorian Age, Part Two.
§ 17. Bewick
The illustrations to the books of which mention has been made were etched and then coloured by hand. Meanwhile, the art of wood-engraving, which had become degraded and neglected, was revived about the close of the eighteenth century by Thomas Bewick. Bewick and his pupils spread abroad the practice of the art; and thus there came into being a means of illustration in black and white very serviceable for the use of the periodical press. Much as the vitality of pictorial art had helped to bring into being the literature of the various kinds that have been described above, so the existence of a number of able engravers on wood helped to bring into being an illustrated press. In the early years of the nineteenth century, The Observer, Bell’s Life in London and other papers owned by William Clement, had made a special feature of their illustrations; and The Observer was quick to take advantage of the revival in the art of wood-engraving.