the art of lithography and etching
June 8 – June 14, 2021
Vernissage: June 8 (Tuesday), from 16 to 7 p.m.
Western European graphics have been developing for centuries and for decades is an object of collection even by Bulgarian art admirers the graph. Among the brightest personalities who have accumulated a huge personal graphic collection with works by Western European masters, is Bogomil Raynov. In 1987 he donated 303 graphic prints with all the important names from Goya to Picasso in HG Dimitar Dobrovich” in Sliven. Today – there and in the collection of the National Gallery, se preserve the brightest examples of European graphic art, which although rarely, are presented in various expositions and enjoy audience interest.
However, the art of graphics in our country is often marginalized by both audiences and collectors. On the one hand, this is due to its specifics – the paper and the circulation, and on the other hand, perhaps the main one – the essential misunderstanding of graphics as a process of making and as a means of materialization of creative ideas. The exhibition “Western European graphics and the art of lithography and etching” appears precisely in this context and has for aim not only to present to the public graphics stored in Bulgarian private collections, but also to outline the specifics of two of the techniques that were used most often by European masters in the 19th century – lithography and etching, and today are defined as classic graphic techniques with which many work contemporary Bulgarian artists.
Lithography can be considered in two aspects: as reproduction printing method and as a technology to create an original graphic work. Discovered at the very end of the 18th century, in the next century became the most popular printing method. Numerous printing houses are established for a quick, easy and inexpensive way to reproduce periodicals, cartoons, illustrations, books, posters, as well as reproductions of famous paintings and mural works. Artists such as Daumier showed an interest in stone printing. Goya, Delacroix, Picasso, Dalí, Lautrec, Miró, Mucha, Munch, giving new expression to lithographic printing.
As a graphic technique, etching appeared shortly after wood engraving in Europe – at the beginning of the 16th century. According to Giorgio Vasari, the birthplace of intaglio techniques was Florence, considering the contribution of Maso Finiguerra (1426 – 1464), but today it seems almost certain that the birthplace of etching was Germany. The trend of etching metal with acids was introduced by gunsmiths, with the specific purpose of decorating weapons and armor, and the first to use this method to make a printing form was Daniel Hopper of Augsburg.
The current exhibition is an attempt to introduce the public to these two extremely popular techniques and through visual examples to reveal the possibilities they give the artist in the realization of different creative ideas. In addition, on June 12 (Saturday) at 10 a.m., in the gallery a creative workshop and a lecture block will be held, in which the most curious will have the opportunity to meet experts in the art of graphics and yes expand their knowledge of technological processes in lithography and etching, for the materials that are used, for the specifics of the restoration of works performed in these techniques, as well as curious details about the historical developments in general of the art of lithography and etching.
The exhibition is realized from the “Grafikart” gallery and is part of the educational project “The Art of graphics – traditions and modernity”, financed by the Ministry of Culture.
Events are held in compliance with all anti-epidemic measures and controlled access.
