Engraving / Burin Engraving

エングレーヴィング（彫刻凹版） / 15th century–present / Technique / Intaglio Printing

An intaglio print made by cutting a metal plate directly with a burin or similar tool. Controlled changes in line width and dense parallel or crossed lines describe form and tone. It differs from acid etching, relief wood engraving and inscriptions cut into objects.

Engraving / Burin Engraving — Albrecht Dürer, Melencolia I, 1514, engraving — National Gallery of Victoria / Google Art Project — Wikimedia Commons / Public domain — Albrecht Dürer, Melencolia I, 1514, engraving — National Gallery of Victoria / Google Art Project — Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

At a glance

Visual cues

Clearly controlled incised lines
Parallel and crossed hatching
Dense line fields beside paper white
Bundles of lines follow the form

Best used for

Exhibitions and teaching that compare Engraving / Burin Engraving with neighbouring print techniques
Publications studying lines, tones and paper through documented works

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Dictionary entry

Type: Keep lettering in the work separate from added labels; place medium, artist and date outside the image.
Composition: Run line bundles along the form and vary crossed-line density to separate shadows.
Material: Check the collection medium record and the paper and ink; do not infer materials from screen colour alone.
Caution: Do not label every old printed illustration an engraving. Check the matrix, cutting method and whether it is a mixed print.
Further study: Albrecht Dürer — Melencolia I / Burin lines and cross-hatching / National Gallery — Engravings

Related entries

Etching (エッチング／腐食銅版画)Same Intaglio Printing lineage.Compare Engraving / Burin Engraving and Etching
Wood Engraving (木口木版)Shared effects: Technique.Compare Engraving / Burin Engraving and Wood Engraving

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