(French pointe-seche,
German Kaltnadel) is one of the
intaglio techniques. Dry point is made by scratching lines into metal (copper)
plates with steel or diamond-point needles, so that the angle of the needle
effects the width of the line. This technique is particular for ist soft, velvety lines in
prints, because the ink is held by the metal burr raised by the point. Dry
point is frequently used together with etching technique. Known from the 15th
century, very popular in the 19th century.
