Intaglio Printmaking Notes

Intaglio Printmaking

Introduction

  • Intaglio is an old printmaking technique producing detailed results.

  • It facilitated the mass consumption of artwork through printed reproductions.

Objectives

  • Define and compare intaglio and relief printing.

  • Describe different types of intaglio printmaking.

Key Terms

  • Intaglio

  • Relief

  • Engraver

  • Engraving

  • Etch

  • Etching

  • Aquatint

  • Ground

  • Dry point

  • Mezzotint

Intaglio

  • Comes from Latin verb meaning "to cut into."

  • Engravings or relief sculptures date back to Sumeria around 3,000 BC.

Printmaking Types

Relief Printing

  • Design cut into wood or linoleum.

  • Ink applied to raised parts.

  • Image is reversed during printing.

  • Example: Smiley face winking:

    • Original: 😉

    • Printed: 😜

  • Areas cut away do not receive ink.

Intaglio Printmaking

  • Details engraved, filled with ink.

  • Raised areas wiped clean.

  • Image is reversed during printing.

  • Areas cut receive ink.

Intaglio Print Types

  • Engraving

  • Etching (with Aquatint)

  • Dry Point (with Mezzotint)

Engraving

  • Oldest form of intaglio.

  • Difficult to work with.

  • Artist uses a hard tool to scrape away details on a hard surface (usually metal).

  • Requires strength and control for straight lines.

Etching

  • Resembles drawing more closely.

  • Acid-resistant ground applied to the metal plate (e.g., wax).

  • Artist draws into the ground, exposing the metal.

  • Acid washes over the plate, etching grooves where the ground was removed.

  • Easier to work with than engraving.

  • Example: Rembrandt's "Christ Healing the Sick."

Aquatint

  • Uses powdered resin to create tone in etching.

  • Powdered acid-resistant resin added to areas where a middle tone is desired.

  • Acid etches around resin particles, creating a textured surface for tonal effect.

Dry Point

  • Artist creates a burr by etching into the surface.

  • Example: Alba Bastien Durer's "Saint Jerome in His Study."

  • Burr: A lip of metal raised on the edge of the carved groove due to the tool's angle.

  • Ink deposits along the burr, creating fine lines with white space in between.

Mezzotint

  • Variation on dry point.

  • Tonal method for producing halftones.

  • Creates beautiful monochromatic prints.

  • Tone created by roughing parts of the plate with a special tool.

  • Creates small grooves that hold ink, while the top surface is cleared.

  • Gives the impression of halftones using only one color.

Review

  • Intaglio and relief printmaking are opposites.

  • Intaglio: Ink goes into carved areas.

  • Relief: Ink remains on raised areas.

Types of Intaglio Printmaking

  • Engraving

  • Etching

  • Aquatint

  • Dry Point

  • Mezzotint

Conclusion

  • Intaglio requires a great deal of skill.

  • Example: Francis Jukes' "Mount Vernon" demonstrates the capabilities of Aquatint.