Medium: Drypoint
Drypoint is an intaglio printmaking technique where an image is scratched into a plate with a hard, pointed “needle” of sharp metal or diamond point. Drypoint is very similar to engraving but differs in the type of tool and technique used to incise the image into the plate. Like etching, drypoint is an easier skill to master as the needle tool is more like using a pencil than engraving tools.
Explore drypoint in the collection
Sigmund Abeles, Untitled, drypoint, 1969, 2001.276.1.
A. Stam, Het Ei, drypoint, 1980, 2002.0395.1.
Beth Van Hoesen, Fleuf, drypoint, 1983, 2012.52.8.
Resources in the Collection
Header Images
Left
Robert E. Marx, The Family Lessons, etching, engraving, and drypoint, 1963, 2010.63.1.
Nicola J. Fester, Old Timer, drypoint etching, 2008, 2009.2.1.
Gracie Mersino, Runs in the Family, etching, drypoint, and aquatint, 2025, 2025.24.12.
Center
Robert E. Marx, Dark Figures, etching, aquatint, and drypoint, 1962, 2010.63.2.
Mili Thibodeau, Untitled, etching, drypoint, monotype, and chine-collé, 2010, 2022.41.3.
Ashlynne Kuhn, The Lovers, drypoint intaglio, 2025, 2025.24.20.
Right
Pierre Bonnard, La Vieille Femme, l'Enfant et la Basset, drypoint etching, 1927, 2008.487.144.
Beth Van Hoesen, Pale Horse, aquatint, etching, and drypoint, 1991, 2012.52.19.
Grace Ann Budzinski, Wheel of Fortune: Crazy Cats, drypoint intaglio, 2025, 2025.24.16.