Gravure en Maniere Noire: pl. VII

1771/1779

Antonio Baratta after A.-J. de Fehrt

Associated Names
Antonio Baratta

Artist, Italian, 1724 - 1787

Denis Diderot

Editor, French, 1713 - 1784

A.-J. de Fehrt

Artist After, French, 1723 - 1774

This is a drawing of various engraving tools and techniques used in the "Maniere Noire" or mezzotint process. The drawing shows detailed illustrations of engraving tools numbered as figures 1 through 7, including burnishers and roulettes, which are depicted with precision and labeled with letters indicating parts and possibly instructions for use. Below the tools are geometric grids labeled Fig. 000 and Seconde Fig. 000, showing a grid system with lines and numbers for alignment or scaling purposes. In the bottom right corner is Fig. 9, a small shaded illustration of a sphere inside a box or open-faced cube, showcasing the chiaroscuro effect achievable through the engraving technique. The inscriptions "Gravure en Maniere Noire" and "Pl. VII" suggest this is an educational or instructional plate on mezzotint engraving.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving, etching, and mezzotint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 35.4 x 22.6 cm (13 15/16 x 8 7/8 in.)
    sheet: 40.2 x 26.3 cm (15 13/16 x 10 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1996.20.8


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Ursus Books and Prints, Ltd., New York; purchased 1996 by NGA.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

lower right in plate: AB. s.; lower center in plate: Gravure en Maniere Noire.; lower left in plate: 159.; upper right in plate: Pl. VII.

Wikidata ID

Q75396603

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