'The Two-Horned Rhinoceros', (most probably a Black Rhinoceros), viewed in profile, facing to the right of the image. Wood-engraving print on laid paper. Illustration featured in 'A General History of Quadrupeds' (first published 1790). Engraved by Thomas Bewick. Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

A rhinoceros with two horns (most probably a Black Rhinoceros), viewed in profile, facing to the right of the image.

Formerly C.8989, a list showing both new and old numbers in 64/2371

This engraving featured in Thomas Bewick's first major independent publication, A General History of Quadrupeds, first printed and published in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1790. The publication contains illustrations of animals, alongside brief descriptions of their appearance, habits and habitats, accompanied by a number of illustrative vignettes, used mainly as tailpieces.

In the text accompanying the illustration (in the publication), it is noted that:
'We have given the figure of this hitherto undescribed animal from Mr Sparrman, whose authenticity there is every reason to depend upon, and who has given a most exact anatomical description of it.'

Taken from: Beilby, Ralph and Bewick, Thomas. A General History of Quadrupeds. Newcastle upon Tyne. Third Edition, 1792.

Historical significance: Thomas Bewick was the first engraver to exploit fully the advantages of end-grain wood (the wood is cut across, rather than along, the grain). Once it had been proved that the technique could rival the fine effects of metal engraving, the advantages of wood engraving to the book trade were quickly recognised. Allowing both text and illustration to be printed in one operation, it ousted the intaglio process as the favourite for book illustration and was only superseded at the end of the nineteenth century when methods of photomechanical reproduction were developed.

Thomas Bewick's A General History of Quadrupeds was first published in 1790.

CIRC.544-1964