What is a Mezzotint?


A mezzotint is a printing method developed in the 17th century. Most prints of this nature have a soft gradation of tone as well as rich, velvety blacks, which is unique to the method.


Contemplation


How they are made;

1) The print maker would take typically a copper or steel sheet, and indent the surface with small pits. The instrument used looks like a toothed metal knuckle duster. These pits hold the ink, if printed now the paper would be completely black.

2) To create the soft graduation of tone, the plate will now by burnished to smooth the surface. This lessens the plates ink holding ability. This method creates the iconic dark and light tones.

This method was highly popular to reproduce painted portraits, notably Reynolds'  sitters. Below are some examples form our website.

The Princes in the Tower.
Painted by John Everett Millais R.A. Engraved by Samuel Cousins R.A.
London Published 16th March 1879 by The Fine Art Society (Limited) 146, New Bond Street.
Mezzotint. Sheet 740 x 470mm (29 x 18½"). Trimmed to plate, slight creasing in title left; backed with paper.
The famous portrait of Edward V and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, as prisoners in the Tower of London. The original painting is in the Royal Holloway picture collection.
Whitman: 221
[Ref: 51985] 


 If you are interested in Mezzotints, follow Period Portraits on instagram for their Mezzotint Mondays.



Tate. 2019. Tate. [Online]. [17 July 2019]. Available from: https://www.tate.org.uk/image/must-7-roni-horn

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