~ A Victorian Colored Mezzotint Of An Undergraduate And His Love c.1860 ~
This picture depicts a smoking man in graduation uniform, holding a newspaper in one hand and looking at his love. She is looking through the window holding flowers.
~ Mezzotint ~
Mezzotint is a printmaking process of the intaglio family, technically a drypoint method. It was the first tonal method to be used, enabling half-tones to be produced without using line- or dot-based techniques like hatching, cross-hatching or stipple. Mezzotint achieves tonality by roughening the plate with thousands of little dots made by a metal tool with small teeth, called a "rocker." In printing, the tiny pits in the plate hold the ink when the face of the plate is wiped clean. A high level of quality and richness in the print can be achieved.
~ Dimensions ~
The frame is 17 inches (43cm) tall by 13.5 inches (34.5cm) wide. The picture is 14 inches (34.5cm) tall by 10.25 inches (26cm) wide.
~ Condition ~
The condition of the piece is very good, only the frame is slightly worn.
