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

Pablo Picasso, ‘Etching: 11, 28 February 1970 3, 16, 30 March 1970 (L.13)’ 1970

Pablo Picasso Etching: 11, 28 February 1970 3, 16, 30 March 1970 (L.13)

1970
P77584
Giorgio Morandi, ‘Hilltop at Evening’ 1928

Giorgio Morandi Hilltop at Evening

1928
View by appointment P01919
after Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Tornaro, engraved by R. Wallis’ published 1834

After Joseph Mallord William Turner Tornaro, engraved by R. Wallis

published 1834
View by appointment T06164