Intaglio is a technique of engraving where the artist cuts away at a plate to create an image in relief. The image is then inked and the excess ink wiped away, leaving the ink in the grooves of the carving. The paper is then placed on top of the inked plate and run through a printing press, which transfers the ink from the plate to the paper.
Intaglio printing was first developed in the 15th century and reached its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of the great masters of printmaking, such as Rembrandt, used intaglio techniques to create some of their most famous prints. Today, intaglio is still used by artists to create prints with a high level of detail and expressive power.
