Looking at prints Flashcards
How can you tell a print is intaglio?
Platemarks
How do you tell apart intaglio and relief prints?
o Fullness, thickness, in recessed = relief cut
o Sharp, thinner lines = intaglio
o Ink raised = intaglio
What is the difference between woodcut and wood engraving?
o Woodcut = broader
o Wood engraving = smoother finer
How can you tell a print is engraving?
o Tapers to a point
o Varying width
o Flowing quality
How can you tell a print is etching?
o Round end
o Equal breadth
o Expressive, sketch-like quality
How can you tell a print is drypoint?
o Scratched aspect
o Softer than etching
o Nervous
o More irregular
o Lines bleed/fuzzy
How do you tell apart aquatint from mezzotint?
o Mezzontint
Images full of black dots
Even, full-black areas
Even, smooth transitions between light and dark
In light areas: criss-cross pattern
o Aquatint
Dots are white islands surrounded by black ink
No full back areas anywhere
“jerky” transitions between light and dark
What is the difference between an original and reproductive print?
o Original: Design is made specifically for the print, When the concept is from the same person who also manufactured the printing form originally
o Reproductive print: original artist is different from the engraver
What is the difference between original- and late impression?
Original: Printed on paper at the same time as when matrix was made
Late: Matrix printed later, could be centuries later
What is a print state?
o When matrix is changed different states of print will be made
o Ex. One print is made from plate, then plate is further engraved, the next print is a new state
How did artists collaborate?
Ex. 1 artist designs print, 1 artists engraves, 1 artist prints
Why are signatures used?
o Way of claiming ownership
o Way of copyrighting production
What signatures decern who designed a print?
Pinxit = painted by
Delineavit: drawn by
Invenit: designed by
What signatures decern who made the print?
Sculpsit: engraved or etched the plate
Caelavit: engraved
Incidit: cut
Fecit: made it
Lith: lithographed it
What signatures decern who printed or published the print?
Impressit: printed it
Excudit: manufactured by
Excidit: published by
Direxit: led it
