mezzotint

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mezzotint (Italian: mezzotinto, ‘half tint’). A printmaking method that produces subtly graduated tones rather than lines; the term also applies to a print made by this method, which is essentially as follows. A metal (usually copper) plate is laboriously roughened with a serrated chisel-like steel tool called a rocker, creating a texture somewhat like that of fine sandpaper over the whole surface. If inked and printed from in this condition, the plate would produce solid black. The design is formed by scraping away the textured burr to varying degrees. When the plate has been inked and then wiped, the ink is retained where the plate is rough and will print an intense black, but where it has been smoothed, less ink is held and a lighter tone results (for the highlights the burr is completely removed and the metal polished smooth). Unlike other types of print, a mezzotint is thus evolved from dark to light. Engraved or etched lines are sometimes introduced if greater definition is required; this procedure is known as mixed mezzotint. Like drypoint, mezzotint yields only a small number of good impressions before the burr wears down.

Mezzotint was invented in the Netherlands in the early 1640s by Ludwig von Siegen. Another notable pioneer, formerly thought to be the inventor, was Prince Rupert, who was perhaps responsible for introducing the rocker, which was an improvement over the roulette used by von Siegen. The Netherlands remained the chief centre for the technique in the 17th century, but in the 18th century it became recognized as a British speciality and was an extremely popular method for reproducing portraits. This was the heyday of mezzotint, when specialists such as Richard Earlom and Valentine Green flourished, but memorable use was also made of it in the following century by John Martin, one of the few eminent artists to make original creative use of the medium rather than reproducing someone else's designs. The technique virtually died out in the later 19th century with the development of photographic methods of reproduction, but it is still used by some original printmakers who value its rich tonal qualities.

mezzotint (It., mezzotinto: ‘half-tint’). A printmaking method that produces subtly graduated tones rather than lines; the term also applies to a print made by this method. A metal (usually copper) plate is laboriously roughened with a serrated steel tool called a rocker, creating a texture somewhat like that of fine sandpaper over the whole surface. If inked and printed from in this condition, the plate would produce solid black. The design is formed by scraping away the textured burr to varying degrees. When the plate has been inked and then wiped, the ink is retained where the plate is rough and will print an intense black, but where it has been smoothed, less ink is held and a lighter tone results (for the highlights the burr is completely removed and the metal polished smooth). Mezzotint was invented in the Netherlands in the early 1640s by Ludwig von Siegen and soon spread to England, where it became an extremely popular method for reproducing paintings, especially portraits. Its heyday was the 18th century, but memorable use was made of it in the following century by John Martin, one of the few eminent artists to make original creative use of the medium rather than reproducing someone else's designs. Like drypoint, mezzotint yields only a small number of good impressions before the burr wears down. The technique virtually died out in the later 19th century with the development of photographic methods of reproduction, but it is still used by some printmakers who value its rich tonal qualities.

mezzotint [Ital.,=halftint], method of copper or steel engraving in tone. A Dutch officer, Ludwig von Siegen, is given credit for the invention of mezzotint c.1640. The process then came into prominence in England early in the 18th cent. Mezzotint involves uniform burring with a curved, sawtoothed tool by cradling it back and forth until the surface of the plate presents an all-over, even grain. This yields a soft effect in the print. The picture is developed in chiaroscuro with a scraper and a burnisher, every degree of light and shade from black to white being attainable. In pure mezzotint, no line drawing is employed, the result being soft without the sharp lines of an etching. Mezzotint was often used for the reproduction of paintings, particularly, in England, for landscapes and portraits. The process is essentially extinct today.

mezzotint † half-tint; method of engraving a metal plate for printing. XVIII. Earlier in It. form mezzotinto (XVII); f. mezzo half + tinto TINT.

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