Engraving

A print produced by a method in which lines are cut into a copper or metal plate with a cutting tool called an engraver or burin, leaving a tiny trench which is later filled with ink. It is these lines that show as the final image on the print. Ink is applied to the plate and a print is taken after the plate has been wiped to leave ink the engraved lines only. This term is also used generically to cover all methods of producing prints by the intaglio process.

Film

Watch printmakers Sarah Gillespie and Paul Kirkup make an engraving and a mezzotint, demonstrating the tools and techniques used in making this type of portrait.

An audio-described version of this film is available.

 

In the Gallery's Collection

    The Gunpowder Plot Conspirators, 1605,    by Crispijn de Passe the Elder,    circa 1605,    NPG 334a,    © National Portrait Gallery, London The Gunpowder Plot Conspirators, 1605, by Crispijn de Passe the Elder, circa 1605
    John Smith,    by Simon de Passe,    1616,    NPG 4594,    © National Portrait Gallery, London John Smith, by Simon de Passe, 1616
    William Shakespeare,    by Martin Droeshout,    1632 or 1663-1664,    NPG 185,    © National Portrait Gallery, London William Shakespeare, by Martin Droeshout, 1632 or 1663-1664
    George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle,    by David Loggan,    1661,    NPG 833,    © National Portrait Gallery, London George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, by David Loggan, 1661
    Boadicea Haranguing the Britons (called Boudicca (Boadicea)),    by William Sharp, after  John Opie,    published 1793,    NPG D11080,    © National Portrait Gallery, London Boadicea Haranguing the Britons (called Boudicca (Boadicea)), by William Sharp, after John Opie, published 1793
    King Charles I and his Supporters,    by Joseph Nutting,    early 18th century,    NPG D10634,    © National Portrait Gallery, London King Charles I and his Supporters, by Joseph Nutting, early 18th century
    King James II,    by John Chapman, published by  John Wilkes,    published 1 July 1804,    NPG D10648,    © National Portrait Gallery, London King James II, by John Chapman, published by John Wilkes, published 1 July 1804
    Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales; Leopold I, King of the Belgians,    by William Thomas Fry, after  George Dawe,    based on a work of 1817,    NPG 1530,    © National Portrait Gallery, London Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales; Leopold I, King of the Belgians, by William Thomas Fry, after George Dawe, based on a work of 1817
    Maharaja Duleep Singh,    by Daniel John Pound, after  John Jabez Edwin Mayall,    1859,    NPG D10941,    © National Portrait Gallery, London Maharaja Duleep Singh, by Daniel John Pound, after John Jabez Edwin Mayall, 1859
    Engraving after 'The Coalition Ministry, 1854',    by William Walker, after  Sir John Gilbert,    1857,    NPG 1125a,    © National Portrait Gallery, London Engraving after 'The Coalition Ministry, 1854', by William Walker, after Sir John Gilbert, 1857
    Stanley Anderson,    by Stanley Anderson,    1933,    NPG 6057,    © National Portrait Gallery, London Stanley Anderson, by Stanley Anderson, 1933
    Stanley Lawrence,    by Anne Jope,    1980,    NPG D5028,    © National Portrait Gallery, London Stanley Lawrence, by Anne Jope, 1980