Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is mezzotint?

What is mezzotint?

Mezzotint is a printmaking technique in which a copper or steel plate is roughened to produce a solid black print. The artist smooths specific areas of the plate to create a range of tones, from deep blacks to delicate grays and whites. By varying the degree of smoothing, the artist can achieve detailed gradations of light and shadow, resulting in prints with rich, velvety textures and subtle transitions between light and dark.

Art Informel

Art Informel is a French term referring to the gestural and improvisational techniques common in abstract painting during the 1940s and 50s. It encompasses various styles that dominated these decades, characterized by informal, spontaneous methods. Artists used this term to describe approaches that moved away from traditional structures and embraced more expressive, unstructured techniques.

Dada

Also known as Dadaism, Dada was a literary and artistic movement that began in 1916 in Zurich, Switzerland. It emerged as a rejection of rationalism and nationalism, which were seen as contributing factors to World War I. The movement had political undertones and was strongly anti-war. Dada activities included demonstrations, gatherings, and the publication of literary and art journals that explored cultural and political topics.

Massurrealism

Massurrealism is a portmanteau word coined by American artist James Seehafer in 1992. He observed a trend among postmodern artists who blended themes and aesthetic styles with mass media, including elements of pop art. Massurrealism is a development of surrealism that emphasizes the technological effects on the imagery of contemporary surrealism. The key difference between massurrealism and surrealism is that the latter was founded in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, while massurrealism is rooted in the influence of modern technology and media.

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