GRAPHIC ARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 133, 7 June 1929, Page 5

GRAPHIC ARTS.

MAKING OF ETCHINGS.

INVESTIGATIONS BY X-RAY.

A description of the making of etchings was given last evening by Mr. T. V. Gulliver and Dr. E. B. Gunson, in addresses arranged by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and the Auckland Society of Arts.

Various methods employed in the J graphic arts were dealt with by Mr. [ Gulliver, who said surface-printing was \ a process of engraving on wood or j metal. A roller was used for inking the block after the engraving had been completed, and the finished result was seen in white lines on a dark face.

By a reverse process, known as the ' intaglio process, the surface was inked; with a soft pad, and the ink was thus : made to fill the scratches. The surface j was then wiped to remove the ink from i the smooth portions, and the plate was brought in contact with damp paper! under pressure. By this means the ink was removed from the scratches, which appeared on the surface as dark lines on a white ground.

By the use of acid an etching could be made, said Mr. Gulliver, by covering the plate with an acid-proof -waxy surface and scratching the design in reverse with a sharp pointed instrument. The wax surface was then immersed in acid which could reach the prepared zinc or copper surface only through the scratched lines. When the waxy ground was removed, the print remained etched into the surface of the plate. For dry-point etchings a hard diamond-point was used.

In speaking of the connection of science and art, Dr. Gunson explained the importance of the X-ray in ascertaining the age and authorship of ancient pictures. For that reason such a process could be used to test whether or not an "old master" was genuine. While some 5000 pictures in the possession of European galleries were attributed to Rembrandt, he did. not consider that Rembrandt, in his while lifetime, painted more than 700 pictures. Such a discrepancy in figures could be tested by critical scientific investigation.