Intaglio

Most likely developed from the decoration of precious metals in medieval times (and with its named derived from the Italian intagliare, or “to cut into”), intaglio printmaking refers to all printmaking in which an acid or pointed tool is used to incise a metal matrix generally composed of copper, iron, steel, or zinc. The plate is then inked and printed under pressure, forcing the paper into the recessed areas and picking up the ink resulting in characteristically raised lines. Intaglio techniques include etching, engraving, aquatint, photogravure, mezzotint, and drypoint; oftentimes used in combination, these techniques can produce variations in both tone and contrast, as seen in this intaglio print by Francisco Goya.