THE ART OF GRAPHICS AND ITS TECHNIQUES

Graphic art has become one of the fundamental vehicles for the diffusion of the visual arts among an ever-growing public.
Today, whoever chooses to work in this field must adhere to a whole series of rules which ensure for the collector a high level of quality and authenticity.

ENGRAVING TECHNIQUES
Engraving techniques are divided into three different categories, in accordanee with the type of plate used: relief, intaglio and surface.
Relief print: the ink adheres to those parts of the plate which are set in relief. The plate itself can be in wood, linoleum, or plastic (xylo-graphy).
Intaglio print: the ink penetrates the marks etched in the plate. Two techniques exist:
-stroke engraving, obtained using metal needles (line engraving, dry point, mezzotint);
-indirect engraving, obtained by the action of acid (etching, aquatint, soft-ground etching).
Surface print: the surface of the plate is treated chemically (lithography, serigraphy).

THE CADORE ART WORKSHOPS
Engraving "workshops" constitute a fundamental part of the artistic heritage of Venice. And it is in this tradition that we must view the CADORE Art Workshops at Rialto, S.Vio and Paris.
Promoters of the artistic activities of these workshops are Paolo Baruffaldi and Claudio Bazzichetto.
Though both men have followed courses in engraving both in Italy a.nd abroad, their real training may be said to have taken. place in the "workshops" themselves, where a distinct "Cadore" style has emerged in the meticulous attention to inking, the choice of colour, the use of "chiaroscuro" for aquatint, and the serious approach to "publication" (a strict System of numbering and authentication, with a single edition produced from each plate).
The works of art produced in the CADORE "workshops" are available exclusively from the BAC art studio in Venice and from the workshops themselves.

ORIGINAL ENGRAVINGS
Characteristics:
-the plate is engraved by the artist in person, using the techniques which he considers most suitable for the realization of the project in question;
-the printing of the plate is conducted under the direct supervision of the artist, who may make a series of artist’s proofs before deciding on the definitive version;
-every engraving is numbered and signed by the artist himself, who also indicates the number of copies which comprise the edition;
-when the printing is finished, a sign or monogram is impressed on the plate; this prevents further printing;
-each sheet printed bears an embossed mark which displays the BAC registered trademark.
PRINTS Characteristics:
-the original artist’s sketch is transferred by lithograph to a zinc plate;
-lithographic printing permits large numbers of prints;
-each copy is printed with the artist’s name, the title of the work and the year of production.