Trykksnittets

Trykksnittets is the definite form of the Norwegian term trykksnitt, generally used to refer to the practice and history of printmaking—the set of techniques by which images are transferred from a matrix to paper or other surfaces through inking and pressure. The expression is common in Norwegian and Danish art-historical writing, where it denotes the broader field rather than a single technique. In English, the corresponding term is printmaking.

Etymology and form: Trykksnitt derives from trykk, meaning print or press, and snitt, meaning cut. The definite form -ets marks possession or the definite noun in Norwegian; thus trykksnittets usage appears in phrases such as trykksnittets historie (the history of printmaking) or trykksnittets ulike teknikker (the various techniques of printmaking).

Background: Printmaking emerged in Europe in the late Middle Ages as a means of producing multiple images. Early methods included woodcut relief printing and metal engraving. In the 18th and 19th centuries, etching and aquatint expanded possibilities, while lithography, invented in the late 18th century, added planographic techniques. The 20th century saw further diversification with serigraphy (screen printing) and experimental processes, broadening stylistic and technical horizons within trykksnittet.

Techniques: Major categories include relief printing (woodcut, linocut), intaglio (engraving, etching, aquatint), planography (lithography, offset), and screen printing (serigraphy). Each method has distinct tools, surfaces, and ink behaviors, influencing editioning, tone, and texture in the final print.

Usage: In Norwegian and Danish art-history writing, trykksnittets is used to discuss the discipline, its history, institutions, and key practitioners. In English-language contexts, the term corresponds to printmaking.