Art Term

Intaglio

Intaglio describes any printmaking technique in which the image is produced by incising into the printing plate – the incised line or area holds the ink and creates the image

Lucian Freud, ‘Girl with a Fig Leaf’ 1947
Lucian Freud
Girl with a Fig Leaf 1947
Tate
© The Lucian Freud Archive / Bridgeman Images

Intaglio methods

  • Michael Landy, ‘Creeping Buttercup’ 2002

    Etching

    Etching is a printmaking technique that uses chemical action to produce incised lines in a metal printing plate which then ...

  • Jannis Kounellis, ‘[no title]’ 1999

    Drypoint

    Drypoint is a printmaking process in which a design is drawn on a plate with a sharp, pointed needle-like instrument

  • William Hogarth, ‘The Enraged Musician’ 1741

    Engraving

    Engraving is a printmaking technique that involves making incisions into a metal plate which retain the ink and form the ...

  • Edward Calvert, ‘The Brook’ 1829

    Wood engraving

    A printmaking method distinct from woodcut in that the line is incised into the woodblock, rather than the background being ...

Selected artworks in the collection