Thomas Berwick (1753-1828)- Woodblock Printmaker

Thomas Berwick Inspirational Artist!

Over the past two or so years I have grown to love the work of various printmakers more and more. Sometimes it is the detail, the energy, or the humour, but mostly I find printmaking totally inspiring.  As an artist different types of printed imagery excites me including lino cut, woodblock or etching.

Right now, I am really interested in the work of Thomas Berwick (1753-1828). His woodblock prints are not only a wonderful historical glimpse of how people used to live before the land inclosure act of 1845, but they also have superb amusing little scenes. One that comes to mind is of a man hanging precariously from a branch over a river. Berwick's work was made at a time of major change in the world. People were just beginning to appreciate the wildlife of the countryside. Meanwhile, masses of people were moving to towns and cities to work in factories after being evicted from their homes by land owners.  

This year I am looking forward to making a body of work based on the birds I have seen here in the Nene Valley. Thomas Berwick's book on birds called 'British Birds' provides some of the inspiration for this  work. One little fact I found out was that John Clare (1793-1864), my favourite poet, used this book to help him identify birds he had seen. At the time there were virtually no other books about nature of this type, so this a great reference for a country just starting to fall in love with its surroundings and wildlife.