An etching technique that creates areas of tone rather than lines by using acid-resistant granules on a metal plate, producing effects similar to watercolor washes when printed. The method allows for subtle gradations of gray and atmospheric effects.
From Italian 'acquatinta' combining 'acqua' (water) and 'tinta' (tint), referring to the watercolor-like washes the technique produces. Developed in the 1760s by Jean-Baptiste Le Prince, it became popular for reproducing the tonal effects of drawings and paintings.
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