What are engravings? This question interests many. For some, a resounding foreign word is associated with an image of a biblical plot on a metal or stone board, while others believe that this is just a drawing carved with a knife on the surface of the table.
Nevertheless, to the question: "What are engravings?" - it is impossible to answer unambiguously, since the technologies for creating drawings are quite complicated. But one thing is certain. Engraving is a special type of graphic art in which there are outstanding artists and unsurpassed masters.
Engraving technique
The art of painting does not imply any technical means, except for a set of art brushes, a palette and an easel. Another thing is engravings that require multi-stage technical training, with many trial attempts. But then why is it needed? Isn’t it easier to draw one picture and not waste time and effort on its multiple copying. Moreover, genuine art does not tolerate repetition. However, this principle does not work here. The effect of engraving is its unusualness, the structure of the picture is mesmerizing.
Graphic images obtained by printing are called printmaking. However, a print is a print from any original, and an engraving is a print from an engraved board. What are engravings in terms of manufacturing technology? Simple manipulations, during which it is necessary to press a sheet of paper to the board on which the paint was previously applied. Then this sheet is carefully separated from the board - and the engraving is ready.
Metal and wood
The art of engraving is not a print, but the manufacture of the original, from which you can then make any number of copies. The stronger the material the board is made of, the more prints you can get. Engravings come in two forms: letterpress and intaglio printing. The first way is to cut the original art in mirror reflection, so that the paint is transferred to the paper from the outer surface of the cut picture. And the second method provides that the paint will transfer to a paper sheet from the recesses filled by it on the "board".
Art originated in the 15th century, since then it has been repeatedly modified. Engraving boards were originally made from copper sheet, as the most soft metal. Later, xylographic technologies appeared, according to which the board was cut from solid wood. This method was less time-consuming, in addition, it was possible to create multi-color prints. To do this, it was necessary to make several boards with a different arrangement of drawing elements. The sheet was applied alternately to each board, with intermediate drying, resulting in a color image.
Engraving vintage
Prints spread in the 15th century. The most valuable engravings were created at the same time in the workshops of German artists Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Dürer. The Italians Andrea Mantegna and Antonio Pollaiolo did not lag behind them.
In the 16th century, the art of an artistic print was widely recognized; in Europe, engraving was elevated to the rank of high art, mainly due to Dürer’s masterpieces such as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Coat of Arms of Death, and Melancholy.
The end of the 16th century was marked by a breakthrough in the art of engraving, simple drawings became a thing of the past, expressive plastic appeared, cutting technologies became much more complicated, parallel and cross-hatching allowed achieving fantastic results in achieving a volumetric effect and in the game of chiaroscuro. The figure acquired signs of sophistication, which served as an incentive for further improvement of methods.
Engraving Development
Artists began to use metal base etching and received etching technology, which flourished in full force only in the 17th century. The brilliant portrait painter Rembrandt also engaged in engravings and achieved significant success in this field. The artist Jean Callot devoted his life to the art of engraving and created a whole gallery of portraits of his contemporaries. Claude Lorren was carried away by the translation of his paintings in engravings. And Rubens organized a special workshop in which his paintings were reproduced.
Popularity
The 17th century was the golden time for the development of new art - engraving and etching. The list of genres in which the artists worked was expanding. These were portraits and landscapes, pastorals, battle scenes, still lifes, animals and inhabitants of the deep sea. Many artists of that time considered it an honor to try their hand at the art of engraving. Entire albums appeared, united thematically, according to the plot and artistic grounds. Suddenly, satirical etchings of Hogarth, miniatures of Khodovetsky, a series of engravings by Francisco Goya became famous.
Art of engraving in Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun, known for its artistic traditions, did not stand aside. Japanese engraving is a whole layer of culture countries, part of her national fine art. The history of the first Ukiyo-e prints dates back to the 17th century. Then the Japanese engraving was printed in black and white. In the early 18th century, artists introduced color printing, and Ukiyo-e changed.
Engravings in Japan were inexpensive and in steady demand. They depicted scenes from the life of ordinary people. First of all, they were wonderful geisha (this was the main topic), then sumo wrestlers walked, and the famous actors of the kabuki theater were in third place. After some time, landscape engraving came into fashion.
Protection of particularly valuable items
The most famous etchings, both ancient and made recently, are systematized. The engraving, the photo of which is publicly available, has its own registration number and, as a rule, is registered. This is necessary so that her artistic value remains untouched. Rare specimens, such as the masterpieces of Albrecht Durer, are protected by UNESCO. The world-famous or especially valuable engraving, photos and reproductions of which are placed in the special directories of Interpol, is protected by special services.
Modernity
At the beginning of the 20th century, the development of engraving as a form of art continued. Under the Soviet regime, a whole generation of talented artists appeared who successfully worked in the field of etchings and prints. During this period, the engraving experienced its next take-off, the drawing became even more complicated, its expressiveness reached its climax. In the 30s, a Russian and then Soviet school of engraving was formed, presented by talented artists and their students. The prospect of further development of the art of etching loomed bright. Then, already in the prewar years, the engraving became poster, and its popularity decreased markedly.
After the Great Patriotic War, for almost 20 years, prints were issued only as a means of inexpensive, but effective Soviet propaganda. Currently, the art of engraving is in a state of some stagnation, there are no new enthusiasts, and older artists are engaged in commercial projects. Although today the question of what engravings is, any Russian is able to give an exhaustive answer. Perhaps in the future there will be new types of engravings, because art has the ability to be reborn in new forms.