Question 1

What is etching?

Accepted Answer

Etching is a method of making prints using metal plates onto which a design has been incised by acid.

Question 2

What is etched glass?

Accepted Answer

Etched glass is a type of decorative glass which is the result of small cuts made to the glass. The cuts, which appear white, typically form patterns or images.

Question 3

What is vintage etching?

Accepted Answer

Vintage etching is a term that refers to a specific type of print produced between 50 and 100 years ago. Printmakers produced etchings by carving images into a copper plate and then soaking it in an acid bath. Then, they applied ink to the plate and pressed it against paper or another material to create an image. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage etchings.

Question 4

What is an original etching?

Accepted Answer

An original etching is a print produced during the first production run of a print series. After making an etching plate, an artist will create a limited number of etchings. Collectively, these prints are the original etchings. They differ from restrike etchings made years later, sometimes after the death of the artist. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of etchings.

Question 5

What is a Picasso etching?

Accepted Answer

An etching is created by cutting down a metal plate with chemicals, including acid, to achieve the desired image. The metal plate is then inked and pressed onto a piece of paper. Picasso became fascinated with etchings when he moved to Paris in the early 1900s, and would go on to pioneer new techniques with etchings throughout his career. Shop a selection of Pablo Picasso pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What are the types of etching?

Accepted Answer

There is dry and wet etching.

Question 7

How do you identify an etching?

Accepted Answer

To identify an etching, look in the corners and on the back for an artist's signature or publisher information. Cross-referencing markings with information shared on trusted online resources can allow you to determine the artist. From there, you can browse online and print catalogues of their work to find out the title and date of the etching. In terms of how to tell an etching apart from other types of prints, one telltale sign is the appearance of slightly blurry lines along the edges. Called plate marks, these lines form from the pressure exerted by the plate during the etching process. You may need a magnifying glass to spot the plate mark on a print. If you have any difficulty with the identification process, consider enlisting the help of a certified appraiser or experienced art dealer. Shop a collection of etchings on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is the difference between etching and aquatint?

Accepted Answer

The difference between etching and aquatint is technique. Invented in the 1500s, etching is a way of incising lines in a metal plate by first drawing on an acid-resistant coating, or ground, to reveal the metal beneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which “bites” the lines into the metal plate. The ground is then removed, and the plate is inked for pressing. Etched lines tend to reveal the movement of the artist’s hand more than a technique like engraving, since the image is created on softer ground. Aquatint, a technique named for its resemblance to watercolor or ink wash, is often combined with etching to create rich tonal variations. It’s a similar process to etching, but the resin ground is more granulated, so the acid handles the metal differently. Different degrees of darkness are created based on the amount of time the plate is in contact with the acid. Find a collection of etchings and aquatint prints on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is the difference between a lithograph and an etching?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a lithograph and an etching is that while both are types of prints, they are made using different techniques. With respect to lithography, the image to be printed is drawn or painted on a stone or metal plate with an oil-based substance, such as a greasy crayon or tusche (an oily wash). The stone is then covered with water, which is repelled by the oily areas. Oil-based ink is then applied to the wet stone, adhering only to the oily image. Afterward, the stone is covered with a sheet of paper and run through a press.

Etching is a way of incising lines in a metal plate by first drawing on an acid-resistant coating, or ground, to reveal the metal beneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which “bites” the lines into the metal plate. The ground is then removed and the plate is inked for pressing.

Find a collection of lithographs for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 10

Why are Rembrandt's etchings so important?

Accepted Answer

Rembrandt's etchings are important because of the influence they had on printmaking. The printing techniques that he employed allowed each of his prints to seem very unique while making it possible for him to mass produce his images. Printmakers that followed utilized the advancements he made in the field to create and distribute their own prints. Find a range of Rembrandt art on 1stDibs.

Question 11

How can you tell if an etching is original?

Accepted Answer

To tell if an etching is original, first gently run your hand along its surface. An original etching will usually have a slight indentation in the image area left behind by the pressure applied by the plate during the printing process. Next, grab a magnifying glass and view the image up close. On an original, you won't see small dots making up the picture, but many reproductions do display dots due to their printing methods. Finally, look at the signature. Most original etchings will be hand-signed. If the signature is printed on your piece, it may be a reproduction. Consult a certified appraiser or experienced art dealer for an expert opinion on your print. Find a wide variety of etchings on 1stDibs.

Question 12

How can you tell if an etching is valuable?

Accepted Answer

To tell if an etching is valuable, one approach is to conduct research using trusted online resources. The maker, age, image quality, historical significance and overall condition all play a role in determining the potential value of an etching. By seeing how much similar etchings have sold for in the past, you can get a rough idea of how much your piece may be worth. However, experts generally recommend having a certified appraiser or experienced art dealer evaluate prints for a more accurate valuation. Find a wide range of etchings on 1stDibs.

Question 13

Can I etch the back of a mirror?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can etch on the back of a mirror. Modern mirrors typically have a reflective layer that is deposited on the back of the glass. If you want to etch the back of a mirror you need to remove the reflective layer, which can be done with an engraving tool or with an etching solution. Shop a range of antique and modern mirrors on 1stDibs.

Question 14

Did Picasso make etchings?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Pablo Picasso made etchings and took that foundation into an exploration of printmaking and the different methods of that medium. Picasso first began working on etchings in the early 1900s, quickly mastering the technique, and then he began expanding and pushing the boundaries to create a unique and signature style. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.

Question 15

What is the difference between an etching and a print?

Accepted Answer

The difference between an etching and a print depends on how specific the terms are. Print is a general term for any type of artwork made by transferring an image onto another material, such as paper or fabric. A specific printmaking technique, etching is a way of incising lines in a metal plate by first drawing on an acid-resistant coating, or ground, to reveal the metal beneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which “bites” the lines into the metal plate. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of etchings and other prints.

Question 16

How can you tell a lithograph from an etching?

Accepted Answer

To tell a lithograph from an etching, look closely along the edges of the print. Etching is a way of incising lines on a metal plate by first drawing on an acid-resistant coating, or ground, to reveal the metal beneath. Lithography uses a stone rather than a plate. As a result, etchings will usually have a faint imprint or indentation called a plate mark, while a lithograph will not. Researching the artist using trusted online resources may also be helpful, as some printmakers worked exclusively with etchings or lithographs. Find a large selection of lithographs and etchings on 1stDibs.

Question 17

Are original etchings worth anything?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some original etchings are worth something. Original signed prints by Old Masters like Rembrandt and Albrecht Dürer are particularly valuable, as are those made by modern artists such as Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Martin Lewis and David Hockney. Generally, the artist, age, historical significance, image quality and overall conditions of etchings all contribute to their value. To learn how much your etching may be worth, seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or experienced art dealer. Explore a large collection of etchings on 1stDibs.

Question 18

What is the difference between a dining set and a dinette set?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a dining set and a dinette set is size. A dinette set usually consists of a small dining table plus two to four chairs. On the other hand, dining sets usually have larger tables with six or eight chairs. With some brands, dinette sets are more casual than dining sets. However, other brands offer both casual and formal dinettes and dining sets. Explore a diverse assortment of dining room furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 19

Are all Mahjong sets the same?

Accepted Answer

No, all mahjong sets are not the same. Most have 136 to 144 tiles. However, some sets contain even more with extra flower and joker tiles included. Also, the imagery used to decorate the tiles varies from region to region. Shop a selection of mahjong sets on 1stDibs.

Question 20

What is a tumbler set?

Accepted Answer

A tumbler set is a collection of containers used to drink beverages out of. Tumblers are made of various materials such as glass, metal, or melamine. Sets see tumblers grouped in varying quantities such as two, four, or eight, depending on the maker. Shop a range of antique and vintage tumbler sets on 1stDibs.

Set Of Etchings

Early 20th Century French Drawings

Set of Five Pablo Picasso Etchings

1950s Contemporary Prints and Multiples

Marc ChagallMarc Chagall Passage du Jordain - 1958 Etching With Watercolor, 1956

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Drawings

1960s Set of 3 Italian Architectural Etchings

1950s Contemporary Figurative Prints

Marc ChagallMARC CHAGALL "THE DESCENT TOWARD SODOM - 1956" ETCHING WITH WATERCOLOR, 1956

1950s Contemporary Figurative Prints

Marc ChagallMARC CHAGALL MOSES BLESSING JOSHUA ETCHING WITH WATERCOLOR, 1958, 1958

Antique 19th Century British Prints

Set of 8 Hand-Colored Botanical Etchings

21st Century and Contemporary Landscape Prints

Graham ClarkeGraham Clarke (b.1941) - Set of Four 20th Century Etchings, Villagers, Unknown

Antique 19th Century Decorative Art

Set of Four 19th Century Framed Etchings

Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Prints

Set of Twelve Antique Hand Colored Etchings of Fruit

1960s Contemporary Figurative Prints

David HockneyStudy for Rumpelstiltskin -- Set of four, Print, Etching by David Hockney, 1961

1960s Contemporary Figurative Prints

David HockneyStudy for Rumpelstiltskin -- Set of four, Print, Etching by David Hockney, 1961

Antique 1830s Italian Neoclassical Prints

Set of Six Neoclassical Period Pompeian Colored Etchings

20th Century Prints

Set of Eight Architectural Etchings in Custom Frames

Antique 19th Century English Drawings

Set Of 6 Thomas Allom Hand Tinted Etchings

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Prints

Set of Three Colorful Etchings by Kjeld Ulrich

Antique 1790s English Prints

Set of 12 Framed Botanical Etchings, 18th Century

Antique 19th Century French Prints

Set of two 19th century etchings of Constantinople by Melling

20th Century English Prints

Set of Four English Court Etchings in Gilt Frames

20th Century American Greco Roman Prints

Set of Twelve Architectural Landscape Etchings by Kenneth Gregg

Antique Early 1900s Austrian Prints

Marianne Hitschmann-Steinberger Etching from 1900 Set of Two

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

1980s Set of Three Contemporary Etchings Dies Copper Plates

Antique 19th Century Decorative Art

A Set of 4 Grisaille Neoclassical Etchings with Ink Wash

20th Century Paintings

Handcolored Etchings of African Animals Matted in Gilt Frames, Set of Four

Mid-20th Century European Drawings

Vintage Historical Architectural Landscape Etchings - Original Set of 4, Framed

Vintage 1950s French Modern Prints

Rare Set of 12 Framed Provence Etchings by Albert Decaris

Mid-20th Century British Victorian Prints

Set of 5 Framed Prints of 19th C. English Hand Colored Etchings of Furniture

19th Century Victorian Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Ernest GeorgeErnest George, Victorian London street scene, The Strand

1950s Figurative Prints

Marc ChagallDAVID VANQUISHER OF GOLIATH, 1956

1990s Prints

"Alphabet Series" A Set of 9 Color Etchings by John Chamberlain

Antique 19th Century French Decorative Art

Set of Three French Empire Maritime Etchings of Ships in Rough Seas, circa 1890

Antique Mid-19th Century English Paintings

Set of Six English Family Hand-Painted Coat of Arms Etchings, Square Gilt Frame

Antique 18th Century French Prints

Set of Three French Hand Tinted Etchings "Maritime, Palace and Courtyard Scenes"

1950s Contemporary Figurative Prints

Marc ChagallMOSES ORDERING THE PLAGUE OF DARKNESS OVER EGYPT, 1956

1950s Contemporary Figurative Prints

Marc ChagallMARC CHAGALL JEREMIAH RECEIVED GIFT OF THE PROPHECY - 1956, 1956

1930s Contemporary Figurative Prints

Marc ChagallThe Judgment of Solomon - 1958, From bible 1931-1939

Vintage 1970s American Modern Contemporary Art

Jim Dine Signed Set of Four Pop Art Etchings "Four Kinds of Pubic Hair", 1971

1950s Contemporary Interior Prints

Marc ChagallLa Reine de Seba - Solomon Greets the Queen of Sheba, 1958

1950s Contemporary Figurative Prints

Marc ChagallMoses Saved from the Water of the Nile by Pharaoh s Daughter, 1958

1950s Contemporary Figurative Prints

Marc ChagallThe Benediction of Ephraim and Manasseh 1958, From bible 1931-1939, 1958

Antique 19th Century English Drawings

Marc Chagall
Marc Chagall Passage du Jordain - 1958 Etching With Watercolor, 1956

Marc Chagall
MARC CHAGALL "THE DESCENT TOWARD SODOM - 1956" ETCHING WITH WATERCOLOR, 1956

Marc Chagall
MARC CHAGALL MOSES BLESSING JOSHUA ETCHING WITH WATERCOLOR, 1958, 1958

Graham Clarke
Graham Clarke (b.1941) - Set of Four 20th Century Etchings, Villagers, Unknown

David Hockney
Study for Rumpelstiltskin -- Set of four, Print, Etching by David Hockney, 1961

David Hockney
Study for Rumpelstiltskin -- Set of four, Print, Etching by David Hockney, 1961

Ernest George
Ernest George, Victorian London street scene, The Strand

Marc Chagall
DAVID VANQUISHER OF GOLIATH, 1956

Marc Chagall
MOSES ORDERING THE PLAGUE OF DARKNESS OVER EGYPT, 1956

Marc Chagall
MARC CHAGALL JEREMIAH RECEIVED GIFT OF THE PROPHECY - 1956, 1956

Marc Chagall
The Judgment of Solomon - 1958, From bible 1931-1939

Marc Chagall
La Reine de Seba - Solomon Greets the Queen of Sheba, 1958

Marc Chagall
Moses Saved from the Water of the Nile by Pharaoh s Daughter, 1958

Marc Chagall
The Benediction of Ephraim and Manasseh 1958, From bible 1931-1939, 1958

Marc Chagall
Moses Receives the Commandments of the Law, plate 37 from La Bible (1931-1939), 1958

Herman Kätelhön
Hermann Kätelhön, Four Mining Scenes, Etching, c. 1925

Le Corbusier
Unité, Planche 6 (Set of 2), 1965

Le Corbusier
Unité, Planche 7 (Set of 2), 1965

Le Corbusier
Unité, Planche 4 (Set of 2), 1965

Le Corbusier
Unité, Planche 9 (Set of 2), 1965

Arthur Geisert
Ark Interior III, four etchings by Arthur Geisert, 1981

Erich Ockert
Erich Ockert (1889-1953) - Four Signed Etchings, Der Verlorene Sohn, Unknown

David Hockney
Postcard of Richard Wagner with a Glass of Water (from 18 small prints set), 1973

Marc Chagall
The Burning Bush, 1958

Marc Chagall
The Burning Bush, 1958

Marc Chagall
L arc en ciel - 1958, From bible 1931-1939, 1958