Grattage

/ɡrɑˈtɑːʒ/ noun

A painting technique where layers of paint are scraped away to reveal underlying colors or the canvas surface. The scraping creates texture and allows for complex layering effects and color interactions.

From French 'gratter' meaning 'to scrape,' the technique was developed by Max Ernst as a complement to frottage. Ernst would lay canvas over textured surfaces, apply paint, then scrape it away to reveal the impressed textures beneath.

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