Mary E. Wagner Monotypes – May 15th, 2009

Monotypes and Chine Colle

Printmaking is the art of producing an image by transferring impressions from a plate, block or screen onto paper. While most printmaking methods allow for the production of multiple prints, a monotype is a one-of-a-kind print. The artist creates the image by applying inks on a blank plate made of plexiglass or metal. The plate is covered with dampened paper and is then passed through the printing press, producing a single copy of the print..

Because the creation of a monotype involves the direct application of inks onto the plate, and allows the artist to manipulate the inks on the plate by brush, roller, and other tools, it is often referred to as the “painterly print”, and it is preferred by many artists who consider themselves primarily painters, not printmakers. Its qualities include freedom, flexibility, and spontaneity.

The process of chine colle, which is used on many of the prints in this exhibit, is a specialized printmaking technique originated in the late eighteenth century and which enjoyed great popularity in the nineteenth. Chine colle is roughly translated from the French, “chine” being the French name for paper manufactured in China, and “colle”, meaning attached.

The chine colle papers are cut or torn into the desired shapes and brushed with a coating of wheat paste on one side and placed on top of the inked plate, paste side up, before placement of the support paper. When under the press, the pressure from the bed laminates the papers together. The ink from the plate prints on top of the chine colle papers, often giving the prints a layered effect, texture and added subtlety.

All pieces are for sale.  Please contact (202)232-0021 for pricing.  Please have the number of the work that you are interested in.