DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52444#0053
INTRODUCTION.
completed with the acid.” In the introductory note to his “ Catalogue
of the Engraved Work of Albert Diirer” (p. 6), in accordance with
which, as before stated, Diirer’s prints have been arranged in the Fitz-
william Museum at Cambridge (England), he summarizes his conclusions
as follows:
First. He [Diirer] takes up a process already practised, that of direct
engraving upon the copper, for the purpose of producing impressions upon
paper.
Second. He adopts from the armorers the process of etching; and,
as a ready and effective method of producing the desired effect, he com-
pletes his work in “dry point.”
Third. Finding that the plates so treated produced very few even
moderately fine impressions, he etches a plate in which the acid shall bite
so deeply that, to produce the effect he desires, no further tool work is
required.
Fourth. He varies the process, and now etches the plate lightly, and
after taking a few impressions — the “ silvery-gray impressions ”— deep-
ens the lines with the point
Fifth. He etches upon iron or steel plates, but not finding the result
what he desired, he reverts to process 4.
No exception, as a matter of course, can be taken to paragraph 1 of
this statement.
Paragraph 2 finds its reply in what has been said in regard to dry-
pointing; the bur produced in the bitten line would diminish its ink-
holding capacity, instead of increasing it.
Paragraph 3 must be taken to apply to one plate only, the “ Sudarium
xxxv
completed with the acid.” In the introductory note to his “ Catalogue
of the Engraved Work of Albert Diirer” (p. 6), in accordance with
which, as before stated, Diirer’s prints have been arranged in the Fitz-
william Museum at Cambridge (England), he summarizes his conclusions
as follows:
First. He [Diirer] takes up a process already practised, that of direct
engraving upon the copper, for the purpose of producing impressions upon
paper.
Second. He adopts from the armorers the process of etching; and,
as a ready and effective method of producing the desired effect, he com-
pletes his work in “dry point.”
Third. Finding that the plates so treated produced very few even
moderately fine impressions, he etches a plate in which the acid shall bite
so deeply that, to produce the effect he desires, no further tool work is
required.
Fourth. He varies the process, and now etches the plate lightly, and
after taking a few impressions — the “ silvery-gray impressions ”— deep-
ens the lines with the point
Fifth. He etches upon iron or steel plates, but not finding the result
what he desired, he reverts to process 4.
No exception, as a matter of course, can be taken to paragraph 1 of
this statement.
Paragraph 2 finds its reply in what has been said in regard to dry-
pointing; the bur produced in the bitten line would diminish its ink-
holding capacity, instead of increasing it.
Paragraph 3 must be taken to apply to one plate only, the “ Sudarium
xxxv