Silverpoint is a traditional drawing technique and tool first used by medieval scribes on manuscripts. This method involves using a silver rod or wire to create marks on a surface, often prepared with gesso or Chinese white ground. Silverpoint is one of several types of metalpoint used by scribes, craftsmen, and artists since ancient times for writing, ruling, underdrawing, and drawing on various surfaces.
Silverpoint: A Traditional Drawing Technique
Silverpoint is a traditional drawing technique and tool first used by medieval scribes on manuscripts. This method involves using a silver rod or wire to create marks on a surface, often prepared with gesso or Chinese white ground. Silverpoint is one of several types of metalpoint used by scribes, craftsmen, and artists since ancient times for writing, ruling, underdrawing, and drawing on various surfaces.
History:Silverpoint emerged as a fine line drawing technique during the late Gothic/early Renaissance era, particularly in Florentine and Flemish workshops. It was favored for its precision and ability to render detailed images. Artists who worked in silverpoint include Jan van Eyck, Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, and Raphael. Cennino Cennini's Il Libro dell'Arte provides valuable insights into the practice of silver and leadpoint drawing in the late 14th century.
The discovery of graphite deposits in England during the early 1500s led to a decline in the use of silverpoint, as artists sought more gestural qualities that could be achieved with graphite, red and black chalk, ink and wash drawings, and other mediums. The preparation of silverpoint supports was also labor-intensive, requiring hide glue with finely ground bone ash. Modern practitioners use zinc, pre-prepared acrylic-based grounds, or titanium white tempera as a ground.
Despite its decline in popularity, silverpoint has experienced a contemporary art revival among European and American artists and academies due to the discipline it imposes on draughtsmanship. Drawings cannot be erased or altered, making it a challenging yet rewarding medium for artists.
Technique:Silverpoint drawings are characterized by their fine lines and precise detail. The softness of silver makes it an effective drawing instrument, but it resists erasure and leaves a fainter line compared to other drawing techniques. Artists can achieve various effects by adjusting the pressure applied to the silver rod or wire and the type of ground used.
Notable Silverpoint Works:Several notable artworks have been created using the silverpoint technique, including:
These works demonstrate the delicate lines and intricate detail that can be achieved through silverpoint, making it a valuable technique in the history of art.