Xylography: the last wood engraver in Germany

[Frank DeFreitas]

I couldn't help thinking of our modern-day computer graphics this morning while reading this short article on the last wood engraver in Germany. This could be something similar for us in the year 2109 . . . as the last computer artist sells their studio equipment to a museum (if it takes that long this time around).

Coming from the printing trades myself, and at age 53, I was born into the new era of automation and computerization that swept the industry. I started off with paper tape machines (for composition), moving up through computerized typesetting (CompuGraphic, Linotype), then eventually to drum scanning and desktop color separation (a publishing company that I worked for was one of the first beta test sites for today's Photoshop program).

When you visit the page, take note to the top middle photograph (of the six shown). Notice the glass sphere being used as a optical device (concentrator) to evenly illuminate the engravers workspace (it is located directly in front of the desk lamp). This guy is truly a craftsman in the trade.

Here is the link:

Xylography: the last wood engraver in Germany

There's more information on the web about Rudolf Rieß (the engraver), and if you're interested at all in handcrafted holograms, you'll find this interesting as well. Google his name to see his beautiful wood engravings.

[Frank DeFreitas]

Hi Dave. Yes, it took quite a bit of human talent and skill in the early days of illustration and printing. How easy it is today to just choose the "FLIP" command in photoshop or illustrator! Yet, I imagine that the new software way of doing things today will introduce its own new areas of human talent. I, too, would LOVE to have that optical concentrator sphere!

[Dave Dubé]

And every letter that he engraved was backward, although I must say his art is beautiful. I wonder what one of those 'concentrators' is worth. I could put one of those to good use!