Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sunken or depressed engraving or carving: A design or image that is carved, etched, or engraved into the surface of a material, creating a recessed area. This is the opposite of a cameo, which is a raised design.
   • A printing process: A printmaking technique where an image is incised into a surface (the plate). Ink is applied to the recessed lines and the surface is wiped clean, so that the ink held in the grooves is transferred to paper under pressure.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Art Object/Technique):
  • The museum displayed an ancient Roman intaglio carved into a piece of onyx.
  • She specializes in the art of intaglio, creating detailed engravings on gemstones.
• Noun (Printing Process):
  • This print was made using the intaglio method, resulting in rich, deep lines.
  • Etching and engraving are both forms of intaglio printmaking.

Advanced Usage

• "Intaglio printing": The specific term for the printmaking family of techniques (e.g., etching, engraving, drypoint, mezzotint) that involve incising an image into a plate.
  • Rembrandt was a master of intaglio printing, particularly etching.
• "Intaglio ring": A ring set with a gemstone (like a signet ring) that features an incised design, historically used to create a seal in wax.
  • He pressed his intaglio ring into the soft wax to seal the letter.

Variants and Related Words

• Intaglioed (adj): Describing an object that has been carved in intaglio.
  • The intaglioed gem was set in a gold pendant.
• Cameo (n): The contrasting art form featuring a raised, relief design on a background of a different color.

Synonyms

• Engraving: The general act or result of cutting a design into a hard surface.
• Incision: A cut or carved line, especially in a surgical or artistic context.
• Etching: A specific intaglio printmaking technique using acid to cut lines.

Related Phrases

• "In intaglio": A phrase describing the state or method of being carved or printed in this recessed style.
  • The design was executed in intaglio.
• "Intaglio plate": The physical plate (of copper, zinc, etc.) that has been incised for printing.
  • The artist carefully cleaned the ink from the surface of the intaglio plate.

Noun

1. glyptic art consisting of a sunken or depressed engraving or carving on a stone or gem (as opposed to cameo)
2. a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print