A masterful technique where a metal plate is coated with a protective ground, then delicately incised to expose the surface before being immersed in an acid bath. The resulting lines, rich in depth and precision, allow for expressive compositions imbued with subtle tonal variations, making etching a favored medium of artistic greats such as Rembrandt.

A refined extension of etching, aquatint employs fine particles of rosin to create richly textured surfaces that mimic the delicacy of watercolor. Perfected in the 18th century, this technique was mastered by Francisco Goya, whose hauntingly atmospheric compositions transformed aquatint into a vehicle for profound artistic expression.

A highly disciplined form of intaglio in which an artist carves fine, deliberate lines into a metal plate, producing exquisite detail and tonal depth. Originating in the 15th century, engraving was instrumental in shaping the visual culture of the Renaissance, with luminaries like Albrecht Dürer elevating it to an unparalleled level of craftsmanship.

A labor-intensive and deeply nuanced intaglio process where a plate is meticulously rocked to create a dense, velvety black field, then selectively burnished to reveal luminous highlights. With its unrivaled capacity for smooth tonal transitions, mezzotint was embraced in the 17th and 18th centuries for the reproduction of paintings, offering an unparalleled depth and chiaroscuro.

A method of exceptional sensitivity, where a needle incises directly into a plate, raising a burr that holds ink and creates a softly expressive line. Emerging in the late 15th century, drypoint has been treasured for its intimate, velvety textures, often used to enhance the emotional impact of an image's light and shadow.

A meticulous intaglio technique where tonal depth is achieved through a constellation of tiny dots rather than lines. Flourishing in the 18th century, stipple engraving brought an unparalleled delicacy to portraiture, capturing the finest subtleties.

The oldest and most enduring printmaking form, where an image is meticulously carved into a wooden block, inked, and transferred to paper. A foundational medium of late medieval artistic expression, woodcuts later flourished in the intricate ukiyo-e prints of Japan, merging bold contrast with intricate linework to create striking visual narratives.

A revolutionary technique where an artist draws with grease on limestone or a prepared plate, utilizing the delicate balance of water and oil to capture subtle tonal gradations. Invented by Alois Senefelder in 1796, lithography provided artists with an unprecedented ability to achieve painterly textures and became an essential medium for 19th-century printmakers.

A sophisticated stencil-based process in which ink is carefully pushed through a mesh screen, producing crisp, vibrant imagery. While rooted in ancient techniques, modern screenprinting reached its artistic zenith in the 20th century, allowing masters such as Andy Warhol to redefine contemporary visual culture through bold and iconic compositions.

A richly textured and highly experimental process in which an artist constructs a printing plate from layered materials, producing images of profound depth and complexity. A 20th-century innovation, collagraphy fuses elements of relief and intaglio, embracing the tactile possibilities of printmaking as a sculptural medium.

A singularly expressive form of printmaking, where an image is painted or drawn directly onto a smooth plate and transferred to paper, resulting in a one-of-a-kind impression. First developed in the 17th century, monotypes bridge the worlds of painting and print, allowing for spontaneous, painterly effects that defy replication.