Death of the Firstborn, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"

This dramatic wood engraving depicts the tenth and most devastating plague of Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus — the death of every firstborn son. Created for the ambitious "Dalziels' Bible Gallery" project, this print exemplifies the Victorian era's sophisticated approach to biblical illustration. The Dalziel Brothers' engraving firm collaborated with leading artists of the day to produce a comprehensive visual companion to Scripture, resulting in over 120 engravings published between the 1860s and 1881. The technical precision of wood engraving on delicate India paper, later mounted on card, allowed for remarkable tonal range and fine detail that rivaled contemporary photography.

The composition captures the moment of profound grief and divine judgment that would finally compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. The Camden Press, responsible for printing these engravings, maintained the highest standards of Victorian reproductive printmaking. This work belongs to a significant series that includes companion pieces like "Moses and Aaron Before Pharoah" and "The Departure of the Israelites," together forming a narrative sequence through the Exodus story. The "Dalziels' Bible Gallery" became one of the most important illustrated biblical publications of the nineteenth century, bridging fine art and popular devotional imagery during an era of intense religious fervor and technological advancement in printmaking.