Metal point

School of Filippino Lippi, about 1457–1504
MFA# 36.417

Description

Metal point drawing using a variety of metals
By Susan Schwalb, MFA# 2003.627

A metal tool used for drawing on a Paper or Parchment support which has been covered by a Ground. As the point moves across the ground, it leaves behind a thin layer of metal. The thin metal quickly oxidizes. For example, Silver point becomes the brownish grey of tarnished silver and lead point becomes quite dark. The marks made are quite permanent, and the colored ground may be more light-sensitive than the design. Metal points are often prepared from soft metal such as Silver, Gold, and Lead, but may be made from many other metals such as Bronze, Copper, or Aluminium. Metal point has been used by artists from the 15th century to the present day.

Synonyms and Related Terms

metalpoint

Additional Images

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  Metal point drawing
  By Timothy Mayhew

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  Bronze point drawing
  By Timothy Mayhew

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  Metalpoint

• 

  Metal point

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  15th century style silver point

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  Lead point

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  Lead-tin alloy metal point

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  Silver point

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  Tin point

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  Metalpoint at 100x

Resources and Citations

• Thea Burns. The Luminous Trace: Drawing and Writing in Metalpoint. London: Archetype Publications, 2012.
• Italian Renaissance Drawings: Technical Examination and Analysis. Janet Ambers, Catherine Higgitt and David Saunders (ed.), The British Museum, 2010.
• Media & Techniques of Works of Art on Paper, New York University, New York, 1999
• The Bullfinch Guide to Art History, Shearer West (ed.), Bullfinch Press, Boston, 1996
• James Watrous, The Craft of Old-Master Drawings, University of Wisconsin Press, 1957.