Abstract
SUMMARY Engraving (the process of incising a line in metal by means of a graver), is believed to have evolved in the workshops of goldsmiths between 1410-1430, in either South Germany or Switzerland. Etching (the process of biting a line in metal by means of an acid), is believed to have originated also in one of the Teutonic countries, shortly after engraving. The invention of and progressivelyimproving methods of printing spread rapidly because it permitted the artist to reproduce his works, a thing he had been unable to do with such facility until then. Engraving, etching, linol and woodcutting, lithography (Gk. lithos-stone) and silk-print are the most used printing methods at present. Some of these had been already used during the Middle Ages to illustrate religious books. The first examples of art printing in Turkey were the charts and illustrations depicted in the books printed by Ibrahim Müteferrika. In 1892, Stanislas Arthur Napier, an artist who had been invited to Turkey to train future printers, began to teach creative printing at the Fine Arts Academy. In 1937, the French painter Leopold Levy, (then head of the painting department at the Fine Arts Academy) set up the first engraving and etching workshop in Turkey. 48In 1948, the conflagration of the Academy brought to a temporary end all creative efforts in this field. The establishment of a great number of local Art Institutes in the 1960'ies, brought about a flourishing progress in the field of the engraving and etching arts. Proof of this significant progress, are the many engraving and etching exhibitions held inside and outside of Turkey, and the prizes won by Turkish artists in art competitions at home and in foreign countries. 49
