Early matrix forms of Letterpress printing in Graphics

Authors:

Pages: 92-100

Abstract:

The primary image of Graphics as art is reflected even in the early centuries of the New era, antiquity which managed to maintain in most cases, though a fragmentary evidence of the emergence of a new type of creative process that gave evolution of drawing or manuscript, turning them into print image. The proposed study covers the periodicals of II, III century A.D., when we observe for the first time traces in the human past, proving the existence of such creative search till the emergence of the movable type and the Gutenberg Bible in the XV century. The report is a brief story, presenting a time when primary matrices of letterpress printing were created, even before the letterpress printing itself was defined as such, which technologically gave in heritage а working principle almost intact nowadays. Woodcut, or the so-called xylography, launches a new type of art which was not only included practically in the life of people through decorating of fabrics, printed book, document or standalone graphic sheet with a strong religious character, but has had a specific aesthetic and exquisite value. The focus is on the pure form of graphics, revealed through characteristic technology of work. This requires examination of works made by printing principle of removing the image from a surface, which defines, in turn, the individuality of graphic art. The main focus is on one of the first matrices of letterpress printing, including „Diamond Sutra”, „The board of Protat”, „Gutenberg Bible”.

Keywords:

matrix, graphics, letterpress printing, xylography, wood tile, bronze, „Diamond Sutra”, „Board of Protat”, „Bible of Gutenberg”.

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