‘Elijah Fed by Ravens,’ by Francis S. Walker

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Elijah Fed by Ravens

Francis S. Walker

Produced circa 1863, but not published until 1880–81

Proof wood engraving cut by the Dalziel Brothers, printed on India paper

9 x 7¼ inches

Illustration in Dalziels’ Bible Gallery.

Plate 52. Walker illustrates 1 Kings 17: 2–16, which describes how God provides sustenance for Elijah in a time of drought. [Commentary continues below.]

Scanned image and text by Simon Cooke. [Click on image to enlarge it, and mouse over the text for links.]

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The image shows the character in the dramatic landscape of the Kerith Ravine, focusing on the moment when food is delivered by a raven. Walker depicts Elijah as an archetypically wild hermit-figure, with spectacularly long hair and beard, dressed only in a fur; though not emaciated, the body shows signs of undernourishment and is far from the neo-classical perfection found elsewhere in the series, notably in the work by Frederic Leighton. Walker’s diffuse drawing was produced using ink and grey washes and must have been a challenge for the engravers as they tried to cut distinct lines into the block.

Bibliography

Dalziels’ Bible Gallery. London: Routledge, 1881 [1880].

Created 30 June 2026