Chalcograph

/ˈkælkəɡræf/ noun

Definition

An engraving or artwork made on a copper plate, or the plate itself used for engraving or printing.

Etymology

From Greek 'chalkos' (copper) plus 'graphia' (writing or drawing). The term emerged during the Renaissance when copper-plate engraving became a major artistic and commercial technique.

Kelly Says

Rembrandt and other Old Masters used chalcographs to create prints—they'd carve intricate designs into copper plates, ink them up, and press them onto paper to make dozens of copies. One copper plate could produce thousands of identical prints.

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