Technical Material

37 works

Florence Leyland

Florence Leyland

Whistler, James McNeill

This is a photograph of an engraved metal printing plate. The image shows a metal plate with raised, inverted text meant for printing. The design also includes a dragonfly and abstract shapes. The edges of the plate show signs of use and oxidation. The text is clearly engraved into the metal, with intentional calligraphic flourishes.

Electrotype plate made from fragment of Blake's cancelled plate for "A Prophecy"

Anonymous Artist

The Skeleton Re-animated

The Skeleton Re-animated

Schiavonetti, Luigi

Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Etruscan Gallery

Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Etruscan Gallery

Degas, Edgar

This is a print showing a man and a woman intertwined on the left edge of a long table. The people are partially clothed and pressed tightly against each other, the man holding the woman's bottom, and the woman's legs raised up under the man's arms. The woman has long, flowing hair and what looks like a tiara on her head, and the man's curling hair is tied with a strip of fabric around his head. A curling banner emerges from the edge of the table next to them and curves up the left side of the print. On the right, a creature is stepping up onto the table, using a stool. The creature appears to have the legs and tail of a lion and the body and wings of a bird, but its head and upper torso resemble a large penis. A bell appears to hang from the creature. The material that the print is on is a mottled copper color, with areas of yellow, orange, and dark blue discoloration.

Allegory on Copulation [verso]

Italian 15th Century

Three German Soldiers Armed with Halberds

Three German Soldiers Armed with Halberds

Hopfer, Daniel

This is a photograph of an etched metal plate. The image shows an intricately engraved scene on a rectangular sheet of metal, possibly copper or brass. The etching includes figures holding arrows or other tools, along with swirling patterns resembling clouds or smoke. The work displays detailed craftsmanship that is best appreciated up close, illustrating how images were historically printed.

Wrath

Aldegrever, Heinrich

The Soul hovering over the Body reluctantly parting with Life

The Soul hovering over the Body reluctantly parting with Life

Schiavonetti, Luigi

The image depicts a person standing or walking. The full body is visible with arms slightly extended and facing forward. The facial features are indistinct, and the hair blends into the background. The person is wearing a long robe or gown. There are no visible jewelry or handheld objects. The background is textured and dark, creating an atmosphere of depth and obscurity.

Christ descending into the Grave

Schiavonetti, Luigi

The image shows an engraving of a bearded man's face, likely from the chest up. The man's head is slightly tilted, with facial features such as the brow and nose depicted through etched lines. His hair is voluminous and curly, flowing outward in swirling patterns. There is no clothing detail visible. The engraving includes a crosshatched pattern in the bottom right corner and a signature, possibly "Ritter A.L." The background is a polished metal surface.

Head of Saint John the Baptist [verso]

Butts, Jr., Thomas

This is a carved copper plate showing a busy street scene viewed from above. The street is lined with tall buildings, and people and horse-drawn carriages are visible on the street below. The street narrows as it recedes into the distance, with a line of buildings where it ends. The sky above the scene is clear, except for faint grid lines that run across the whole scene. The edges of the plate are tinged in purple, teal, and white.

St. James's Street

Whistler, James McNeill

This drawing portrays an ethereal scene with figures and a mythological creature. It features nude figures in classical poses with a cloaked figure beside them, interacting with a dragon-like creature. The background has stylized clouds and natural forms with fine etched lines. The scene is on a copper plate, giving it a reddish-brown hue.

The Circle of the Thieves; Buoso Donati Attacked by the Serpent

Blake, William

The image displays faint, swirling lines and shapes on a smooth, dark surface, creating an abstract pattern. The lines crisscross and curve subtly. Light and shadows interact to suggest depth, forming an intricate web that resembles a well-worn, textured slate. The abstract elements allow for interpretation, resembling distant mountains or a hazy, distant forest.

The Day of Judgment

Schiavonetti, Luigi

Mahana Atua (Day of the Gods) [recto]

Mahana Atua (Day of the Gods) [recto]

Gauguin, Paul

The painting shows a scene from an elevated point of view. At the bottom of the painting, a group of people walk or ride along a wide dirt path. Several of the people sit in a covered horse-drawn wagon. Two women walk next to the wagon, while a man stops to tie his shoe. To the left of the wagon, two people speak together, one of whom wears a large pack on their back. Many of the people are dressed in bright shades of blue, red, and pink. On the left side of the image, along the dirt path, are two large buildings with orange roofs. Behind the path is a body of water, on top of which float two boats with more people in them. On the other side of the water, trees and buildings line a hill that slopes upwards, continuing far off into the distance. At the bottom of the image, the colors are mostly earthy browns and greens, while the distant landscape is painted in light greens and blues, under a blue sky filled with soft, fluffy clouds.

River Landscape with Villages and Travelers [verso]

Anonymous Artist

The meeting of a Family in Heaven

The meeting of a Family in Heaven

Schiavonetti, Luigi

The image depicts indistinct, flowing lines and shapes on a dark, possibly metallic surface. The patterns suggest depth and texture, resembling forms such as fabric folds or shadowy figures in an undefined space.

The Soul exploring the recesses of the Grave

Schiavonetti, Luigi

The image shows an engraved plate depicting two figures standing side by side, with their heads tilted. The figures are wearing long, flowing garments that cover their bodies. The background is intricately engraved, suggesting elements like a mountain or cliff on the left side and an implied landscape in front of the figures.

The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate

Blake, William

This is a photograph of a copper printing plate. The plate displays reverse-engraved text with letters indented into the metal surface. The writing is in an elegant font and is surrounded by ornamental designs. A small illustration of a bird in flight is at the top left corner. The copper's patina gives the plate a brownish tone, contrasting with the polished surface and engraved lines.

Fragment of cancelled plate for "A Prophecy" [recto]

Blake, William

This is a photograph of a textured metal plate. The surface of the plate has faint, indistinct marks that may suggest a figure or abstract form. The lighting creates reflections and highlights on the surface, emphasizing its rugged and scratched quality. The overall appearance is industrial, with a sense of history. The shading and texture provide depth and complexity in a monochromatic presentation.

Death's Door

Schiavonetti, Luigi

This is a photograph of an engraved metal plate. The plate has a worn and aged appearance, with scratches and areas of discoloration throughout. The design on the plate appears intricate, with various lines and textured areas. The edges of the plate are slightly beveled, and there is a visible border around the design.

The Counseller [sic], King, Warrior, Mother &Child, in the Tomb

Schiavonetti, Luigi

Abraham Entertaining the Angels [recto]

Abraham Entertaining the Angels [recto]

Rembrandt van Rijn

This is a carved copper plate. The plate itself is dark red, and the carved lines are light gray. The plate shows five people, two on the left, two on the right, and one in the center being eaten by a demonic creature. The central man and the two people on the left are nude, while the two people on the right wear long robes and have long hair. The central man is being attacked from behind by an enormous lizard-like creature with scales, wings, and a long tail. The creature has six legs that end in claws, and they are all grabbing onto the man, its tail wrapping around his leg. His head is visible in the creature's open mouth, his features contorted. There are snakes slithering around the rocky terrain in the background, some hissing at the two people on the left.

The Circle of the Thieves; Agnolo Brunelleschi Attacked by a Six-Footed Serpent

Blake, William

This is a photograph of an engraved metal plate. The plate contains a depiction of several figures in a scene with a natural setting. The image shows a gathering with an arch or structure in the background. The figures are interacting with each other and the environment, which includes trees and rocky terrain. The details suggest traditional engraving techniques were used to create the image.

The descent of Man into the Vale of Death

Schiavonetti, Luigi

This is a drawing showing figures in dynamic postures. The image is an intricately engraved depiction on a copper plate suggesting a narrative or mythical scene. One figure is leaning forward with an assertive gesture towards another figure standing more upright. The copper background adds warmth to the artwork, with finely etched lines conveying motion and emotion within the figures. The style is highly detailed and expressive, depicting a dramatic interaction between the forms.

The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Tormenting Ciampolo

Blake, William

This is a photograph of an engraved metal plate. The image shows the etched surface of a metallic plate with various textures and patterns. The plate has a matte appearance with scratches and lines visible across its surface. Geometric and possibly organic shapes intertwine throughout the design.

The Reunion of the Soul & the Body

Schiavonetti, Luigi

Alphonse Hirsch

Degas, Edgar

The image displays intersecting lines and faint shapes, forming an abstract design. Observers may perceive hints of a table scene and figures engaged in conversation. The forms resemble faces and limbs, blending into the abstract. The composition combines abstract artistry with suggestions of human-like interactions.

The Death of The Good Old Man

Schiavonetti, Luigi

This appears to be a textured metal plate carved with a scene of tall tree trunks. Some of the trees curve slightly, but most are straight. The metal reflects light, making the carved lines appear white. On the left, there is an outline of what seems to be a woman standing, facing the right. She appears to have long hair and holds a lyre in one hand. The artwork is set against a plain beige paper background with a signature in the lower right corner.

Sappho

Dumont, Maurice

This is an engraved plate. The plate itself is dark red, and the lines on it are gray. At the bottom of the plate appears to be a river filled with people twisting and turning in the water. On the right, the river appears to float upward and loop around itself, ending in the top right corner. In the center is a stretch of ground that reaches to the left edge of the plate. On the ground, a person stands, looking down at another person that lays on the ground below them. Both people wear robes and appear to have long hair. Above the person who lays on the ground seems to be another large wave of water that carries two people upward inside it, a man and a woman with their arms outstretched towards each other. In the sky on the left is a large round sun-like shape near that emits rays of light. In the sun are the outlines of two intertwined people who appear to be kissing.

The Circle of the Lustful: Paolo and Francesca

Blake, William

Two Title Pages for "Le Sourire" (Les deux titres du Sourire) [verso]

Two Title Pages for "Le Sourire" (Les deux titres du Sourire) [verso]

Gauguin, Paul

This is a photograph of an engraved metal plate. The image shows a metal surface that has been engraved with fine lines and details depicting an individual. The surface is dark, and the engravings highlight the contours and features of the figure with intricate line work. The lines are meticulously etched, producing a ghostly visage that subtly emerges from the metal's surface.

William Blake

Schiavonetti, Luigi

This is a drawing of abstract figures and forms with a complex composition. The image shows vague outlines of figures amid a patterned texture. The surface is mainly gray and appears to be made of a metallic or subdued material. The figures are abstracted and merge into one another, lacking distinct details, suggesting movement or transformation. There are suggestions of architectural elements, possibly indicating an enclosed space. The intricate detailing of lines and shading encourages viewers to search for definition within the obscured presentation.

Death of the Strong Wicked Man

Schiavonetti, Luigi

The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other

The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other

Blake, William

The image shows a group of figures engaged in a game or activity on a field. A line of trees is depicted on the left side, and a building with a steeple and cupola is on the right. The figures are distributed across a textured field, with trees beyond them. The technique used is fine line etching, evident from the detailed trees, buildings, and figures, creating a sense of movement. The color palette is primarily warm brown tones with darker etched lines for contrast. The background features additional trees and foliage.

Reward of Merit

Cheney, John

It is a drawing showing three individuals engaged in various activities. The left figure is focused on an object in hand with stick-like objects protruding from a round shape at their feet. A smaller form, possibly a child, is leaning against them. In the center, another figure is holding a vertical, spindle-like object and seems to be spinning or weaving. Their feet are partially visible, showing strands of material extending towards a basket filled with tools or materials. To the right, a third figure sits on a barrel holding a musical instrument resembling a bagpipe. The scene is set against a plain background with a stylized, linear engraving technique.

Various Occupations [recto]

Italian 15th Century

The image shows a landscape with two figures on a rocky surface overlooking a vast expanse. In the background, there are hills or mountains with a winding river or road. The etching technique showcases fine lines and intricate details, emphasizing texture and depth. The color palette is predominantly coppery, giving the artwork an aged and earthy feel.

The Circle of the Falsifiers: Dante and Virgil Covering their Noses because of the st

Blake, William