A Brief History of Wood-engraving From Its Invention

"A Brief History of Wood-Engraving From Its Invention" by Joseph Cundall is a journey through the origins and growth of wood-engraving, focusing on its early prominence in Europe during the 1400s and 1500s. The book starts by showing the initial appearances of wood-engravings, especially in religious artwork like pictures of saints. It presents the first examples of woodcuts and explains how they were made, focusing on the skill needed to create them. The story shows the reader the kinds of subjects that were common in early wood-engravings, mainly religious images, and how important these were to people and monasteries. The book brings up important examples like a colorful print of the Virgin Mary with the Holy Child and talks about discussions and disagreements about old wood engravings. These introductions prepare the reader for a complete look at how wood-engraving changed and grew over time.