Printmaking society
Encyclopedia
Printmaking societies were prolific in 19th century United States
.
Their origin, however, began in Europe
in the 18th century. Their impetus was primarily exhibition, technical exchange, and the promotion of etching
and printmaking
as a fine art, as opposed to a method of reproducing images. The invention of photography
meant that reproduction of art works could be achieved photographically instead of through the graphic arts of etching
, engraving
, and lithography
. Thus these methods of printmaking were freed from their reproducing role to develop as pure fine arts. In addition to the rise of printmaking societies/clubs, individual printmaking artists also sought to distinguish their work as a fine art, as opposed to a craft. Generally these artists from the 19th century were referred to as painter-etchers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Their origin, however, began in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in the 18th century. Their impetus was primarily exhibition, technical exchange, and the promotion of etching
Etching
Etching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal...
and printmaking
Printmaking
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
as a fine art, as opposed to a method of reproducing images. The invention of photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
meant that reproduction of art works could be achieved photographically instead of through the graphic arts of etching
Etching
Etching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal...
, engraving
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
, and lithography
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
. Thus these methods of printmaking were freed from their reproducing role to develop as pure fine arts. In addition to the rise of printmaking societies/clubs, individual printmaking artists also sought to distinguish their work as a fine art, as opposed to a craft. Generally these artists from the 19th century were referred to as painter-etchers.