Kupferstich

Kupferstich, or copper engraving, is an intaglio printmaking technique in which an image is incised into a copper plate using a burin. The engraved lines hold ink, which is applied to the plate and then wiped clean on the surface. Printing is achieved by pressing damp paper onto the inked plate, forcing the paper into the grooves to transfer the image. Copper engraving is prized for its ability to render very fine lines, intricate details, and a wide range of tonal effects through line work and cross-hatching.

The technique emerged in the 15th century in Europe, with German and Italian workshops among its leading centers. Albrecht Dürer is among the earliest renowned copper engravers. In the 17th century, Rembrandt expanded the expressive potential of copper plates with rich tonal modeling. Copper engraving remained a major method for book illustration and reproductions into the 18th and 19th centuries, and it influenced related intaglio processes such as etching, aquatint, and mezzotint.

The plate is typically copper; engravers employ tools such as the burin, graver, and roulette to cut lines. After engraving, the plate is inked, the surface wiped, and paper is pressed through a press to create impressions. The durability of copper allows multiple strong impressions, though repeated use wears the plate over time. Techniques such as etching and aquatint broaden expressive possibilities on copper.

Today, copper engravings are preserved in museums and are studied in the field of printmaking. The term Kupferstichkabinet or Kupferstichkabinett denotes collections and rooms dedicated to copperplate engravings and related works, notably in major German museums, where artworks by Dürer, Rembrandt, Callot, and others are held.