Title

Lecture on wood engraving - Mr A.J. Mason...

Author

Author not identified

Source

Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney) 18 April 1831 - ongoing

Details

15 April 1857, p.5, col.4.

Publication date

15 April 1857

Type

News

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

LECTURE ON WOOD ENGRAVING – Mr. A. J. Mason, A.N.A, gave the first of a series of lectures on the Art of Wood Engraving, yesterday evening, at the Mechanics’ School of Arts. The Governor-General and family, attended by his Excellency’s Aide-de-camp, were present; we also observed Sir Alfred Stephen and lady; but the attendance was not numerous. The lecture was characterised by much ability, bore evidence of considerable research, was delivered in a homely agreeable manner, unhampered by numerous technicalities, and copiously illustrated. Mr. Mason was the first to introduce the subject of wood engraving to public audiences in England and America, and he incurred the penalty of much displeasure on the part of his brother artists in consequence; as however the expanding field was open to the world, and none had a right to monopolise the step will be approved by all advocates for the dissemination of knowledge and the progress of art. After an appropriate introduction, the lecturer alluded to the low state of wood engraving until the days of Bewick, and the production of his ‘old hound’ and the other celebrities explained the various modern improvements which had been made – the advantages of cutting on the end, instead of as formerly, on the side of the grain, and the superiority of Turkey box now in use over all timber for the purposes of wood engraving. He gave practical illustrations of the various modes of cutting, proof-taking; and also of the manner in which large engravings were executed in fragments and joined together for the sake of expedition. One engraving exhibited – the Death of Dentatus – was executed on seven blocks; and another (“the Lord Mayor’s procession” – a large picture) in twelve pieces, by different artists – and occupied only six days. His Excellency in common with those present, evinced a deep interest in the lecture, and at its close spent time in examining more minutely several of the specimens which had been sent round from time to time for inspection, as illustrating the various subjects introduced by the lecturer.

[Sydney Morning Herald, 15 April 1857, p.5, col.4.