Etching: an ancient art that still lives
Etching is an engraving technique that has its roots in the past, but continues to enchant artists and art lovers. It is a method that allows to create unique (or series) and detailed prints, starting from a metal plate, usually copper or zinc. The skill of a great engraver is to be able to print an identical plate identical to the previous ones.
How does it works?
–Plate preparation: The metal plate is coated with a uniform layer of acid resistant paint, called “hard paint”.
–The drawing: With a steel tip, the artist etches the image on the paint, removing it and leaving exposed the underlying plate.
-The “morsura”: The plate is immersed in an acid bath. The acid corrodes the exposed metal, creating grooves that will match the lines of the drawing. The depth of the grooves depends on the duration of the dive.
–The inking: Once the “morsura” is finished, the plate is cleaned of paint and ink. The ink penetrates the grooves created by the acid.
–Printing: The inked plate is pressed onto a moist sheet of paper, thus transferring the image.
