Drawn to the Page

Title of artwork:

Grattan

Materials:

Paper (fiber material), Ink

Techniques:

Wood engraving

Author:

Commissioners of National Education Ireland

Title of Publication:

Sixth reading book for the use of schools

Publisher:

Alexander Thom

Publication place:

Dublin

Publication date:

1878

Curator Comment:

The Commissioners of National Education were established in 1831 to oversee the education of the poor in Ireland. The Commissioners issued illustrated primers for use in teaching children to read, introducing the subjects of English literature, English grammar and Irish History and politics. Pedagogical theory of the period recognised the importance of combining text and image to stimulate learning.

Note on artwork:

The illustration of this book was chiefly assigned to members of a highly-regarded Dublin family of artists and engravers named Grey. The Greys not only composed original illustrations for the publication, but they were among a very small number of artists of the period who cut their own wood blocks. The prints in this volume are very finely engraved and are distinguished by their meticulous detail and finesse. They comprise a wide range of mark making creating rich textures and a nuanced tonal range. This image is of the Irish politician Henry Grattan, (1746-1820). This likeness of Grattan is taken from an oil portrait by Alexander Pope (1763 -1835) dating from the 1810s, or from the numerous metal engraving made after same. While likeness to Grattan is questionable, the execution of the face is a veritable master class in tonal wood-engraving technique.