Explore the enchanting world of printmaking with this brand-new book on aquatint, published by Princeton University Press in 2022. Immerse yourself in an innovative technique that revolutionized the art scene in Enlightenment Europe. As artists and collectors sought to replicate the delicate nuances of ink, wash, and watercolor, aquatint emerged as a versatile medium that transformed artistic expression. This comprehensive guide, authored by Rena M. Hoisington, delves into the cross-cultural phenomenon of aquatint, showcasing its vital role in art publishing and connoisseurship during the 18th century.

Discover the captivating stories of master artists like Francisco de Goya, Katharina Prestel, and Jean-Baptiste Le Prince, as Hoisington illustrates how their experiments with aquatint led to stunning imagery and heightened appreciation for neoclassicism. This must-have book not only features rich illustrations from the National Gallery of Art’s exquisite collection but also offers invaluable insights into the growing leisure travel and instructional practices of drawing.

Whether you are an art enthusiast, student, or collector, this remarkable book on aquatint presents both historical context and visual delight, making it an essential addition to your library. Please note: Shipping for this item is free, and delivery may take up to 6 weeks. Once your order is placed, it cannot be canceled.

Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691229799
Format: Trade binding
Year: 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press


Description:


How an ingenious printmaking technique became a cross-cultural phenomenon in Enlightenment Europe

Driven by a growing interest in collecting and multiplying drawings, artists and amateurs in the eighteenth century sought a new technique capable of replicating the subtlety of ink, wash, and watercolour. They devised an innovative and versatile new medium—aquatint—which would spread in use across Europe within a few decades, its distinctive dark tones making possible a remarkable variety of ingenious imagery.

In this illuminating book, Rena M. Hoisington traces how the aquatint technique flourished as a cross-cultural and cosmopolitan phenomenon that contributed to the rise of art publishing, connoisseurship, leisure travel, drawing instruction, and the popularity of neoclassicism. She offers new insights into sophisticated experiments by artists such as Francisco de Goya, Katharina Prestel, Paul Sandby, and Jean-Baptiste Le Prince. Marvelously illustrated with rare works from the National Gallery of Art’s collection of early aquatints, this engaging book provides a fresh look at how printmaking contributed to a vibrant exchange of information and ideas in Europe during the Enlightenment.

Published in association with the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC