The Water Turned Into Blood–The Boils and Blanes, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"

This dramatic wood engraving is part of 'Dalziels' Bible Gallery,' an ambitious Victorian publishing project that brought together leading British artists to illustrate biblical scenes. Published by Camden Press between 1863 and 1881, the series featured engravings by the renowned Dalziel Brothers, who were master wood engravers known for their technical precision and ability to translate paintings into print. This particular print depicts two of the ten plagues inflicted upon Egypt: the first plague where Moses turns the Nile's waters to blood, and the sixth plague of painful boils and sores. The dual scene format was common in the Bible Gallery series, allowing artists to convey narrative progression within a single composition.

The wood engraving technique required remarkable skill—artists would draw on boxwood blocks, which engravers then meticulously carved to create fine lines and tonal variations. The use of India paper (a thin, delicate paper) mounted on card was typical for fine art prints of this era, providing both durability and a refined surface that captured the engraving's subtle details. Victorian audiences were fascinated by biblical illustration, and projects like Dalziels' Bible Gallery made high-quality religious art accessible to middle-class homes. The dramatic subject matter—divine punishment and human suffering—appealed to Victorian sensibilities that valued moral instruction through art.