Spanning a variety of geographical locations and historical periods, these delightfully old-fashioned renderings depict Eskimos in kayaks, medieval knights, Roman gladiators, magicians, firemen, soldiers, miners, beggars, fops, dandies, Prussian generals, shepherds, artists, acrobats, bullfighters, doctors, mythological and religious figures (Laocoon, Buddha, Moses, etc.), monks, prisoners, and more, representing nearly every masculine occupation and activity imaginable.
The material in this book has been chosen to reflect the diversity of the subject, to illustrate the variety of styles of wood engraving, and to be of maximum use to artists and designers. Reproduced from such periodicals as Illustrated London News, La Nature, Leslie’s, and Harper’s, these engravings will solve a great many illustration problems at a very low cost. All 412 illustrations are in line and immediately usable; many have been silhouetted by Mr. Harter to increase their usefulness. This is an unusually comprehensive and helpful sourcebook that belongs in the working library of every modern artist or illustrator.