Two- and Three-Dimensional Representations of Thomas Bewick Woodblocks

Abstract

The Bell Museum at the University of Minnesota owns fouteen wood blocks that were engraved in the workshop of Thomas Bewick to illustrate his History of British Birds, 2 vols. (Newcastle, 1797, 1804), as well as a block for a tail piece printed in The Fables of Aesop (Newcastle, 1818). This data set includes representations of these blocks captured using four digitization methods. 3D models were produced using structured light scanning and photogrammetry. Next, we used reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) to create interactive visualizations of the blocks' surfaces under variable lighting conditions. Finally, a high resolution two-dimensional image was generated for each block using a GIGAmacro device.