CultureSeptember 2, 2026
drypoints
DRY-poynts
Definition
A type of intaglio printmaking in which an image is scratched directly onto a metal plate with a sharp needle, creating a characteristic soft, velvety line.
Etymology
Derived from the method of using a 'dry' tool (without acid) to make 'points' or marks on a plate. It entered English in the late 19th century as a specific term for this printmaking technique.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe Salvador Dalí’s illustrations for Paradise Lost, noting that these drypoints feel more spontaneous and tactile compared to his more polished, famous paintings.
Visual Arts Review: Picasso, Miró, Dalí—Between Their Pages
Read the full article ↗The Arts Fuse