Engravings

Engraving encompasses a range of techniques for printing on paper from a hand-worked matrix — metal incised with a burin or etched with acid, lithographic stone, or carved wood. Before the advent of photography, it was the primary means of disseminating images: reproduction of painted works, scientific illustration, portraits of illustrious figures, and documentation of distant landscapes. From the 18th century to the early 20th, the great centres of production were found in France, England, the German states and Italy, with specialist publishers and workshops such as those of François Vivares in London, the Moreau family in Paris, or the print publishers active around the Palais-Royal. Certain pieces are hand-heightened with watercolour or gouache, which further enhances their rarity and value.

Supports vary according to technique: laid paper or vellum paper for intaglio prints, heavier paper for lithographs, and sometimes China paper mounted on Western paper for fine-quality impressions. The quality of the ink, the consistency of the impression, and the presence or absence of the original margins are essential indicators. A so-called épreuve avant la lettre — pulled before the addition of the descriptive text beneath the image — is generally more sought-after than a standard impression.

To assess an antique engraving, the discerning collector first examines the condition of the paper: foxing, tears, folds and traces of moisture all diminish its appeal considerably. The presence of the engraver's signature within the plate, the mention of the publisher, and the numbering of a limited edition are valuable markers of authenticity. Close examination of the line work under a magnifying glass also makes it possible to distinguish an original engraving from a later photomechanical reproduction.