Mezzotint

Watson and the Shark
MFA# 2001.144

Description

Mezzotint, detail
MFA# 1993.16

An intaglio printing process that was invented in the middle of the 17th century. A metal plate is prepared using a rocker to cover the entire surface with an even, toothy texture to hold ink. A design is drawn by smoothing out the burr with a burnisher. The burnished areas will hold less ink and appear lighter, whereas the untouched sections will print very dark. Mezzotints are characterized by a velvety matte surface.

Synonyms and Related Terms

black manner; mezzotint (Ned., Sven.); zwarte kunstprent (Ned.); manière noire (Fr.); Schabkunst (Deut.); Mezzotinto (Deut.); mezzatinta (It.); media tinta (Esp.)

Resources and Citations

• Carol Wax, The Mezzotint: History and Technique. New York : H.N. Abrams, 1990

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Mezzotint." Accessed 23 Mar. 2004 .

• Multilingual Glossary for Art Librarians at http://www.ifla.org/VII/s30/pub/mgl.htm

• The Bullfinch Guide to Art History, Shearer West (ed.), Bullfinch Press, Boston, 1996

Additional Images

<gallery> File: Hamanishi 2006.jpg| Hamanishi Katsunori MFA acc# 2006.1346