Engraving

Engraving is the practice of transferring a drawing or design onto a hard surface which is then inked and used to make prints. Wood, metal and stone are used.

Originally used to produce multiple copies of other forms of art, for example paintings, today it is considered an art-form of its own. The earliest engraving seems to have originated in China in the 2nd century, not long after the invention of paper. Like paper, the invention moved from East to West via the islamic countries, becoming known in Europe in the 10th century, but not appearing as a popular medium until the end of the 14th century.

Famous engravers include:

• Martin Schongauer (c.1450-1491)
• Albrecht Dürer
• Maerten de Vos (1532-1603)
• Anthonie Wierix (1552-1624)
• Hieronymus Wierix (1553-1619)
• Hendrick Goltzius (c.1558-1617)
• Gerard de Jode
• Jan Saenredam (1565-1607)
• Lucas van Leyden
• Paul Revere
• Paul Gauguin

See also:

• Relief engraving
• Steel engraving
• Drypoint
• Intaglio

References

• A. M. Hind (1923, repr. 1963). History of Engraving and Etching. Dover.
• A. Gross (1970). Etching, Engraving, and Intaglio Printing.
• G. Duplessis (1989). Wonders of Engraving.