What is an Etching

Etchings began in the 15th century. Albrecht Dürer was one of the first artists to engrave on a metal plate. In later years Rembrandt became well known for the etching technique. An etching is a print that has been made from an etched metal plate. A wax layer (an acid-resistant substance made from mixtures of wax, gum, asphaltum, resin, etc.) is first applied to a warm metal plate. The drawing is then made on the metal plate by using a steel point etching needle. The plate is then immersed in a weak acid solution where the acid eats into the exposed metal. The wax is then removed and ink is applied to the plate and worked into the drawn lines. A damp piece of paper is pressed onto the metal plate and the image is transferred to the paper by running the plate through an etching press. A limited number of prints is then made from the plate. Each print is consecutively numbered and signed by the artist.