Jean-Baptiste Le Prince

French printmaker

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June 30, 2026

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Jean-Baptiste Le Prince was a French printmaker who, in 1768, discovered a method for achieving tonal values in etching using granulated resin. This technique, known as aquatint, allowed prints to resemble watercolor or wash drawings. The process involves exposing a copperplate to acid through a layer of melted resin, creating an evenly pitted surface that yields broad areas of tone when printed. Le Prince's innovation made aquatint a popular method for producing toned prints, especially among illustrators, though its full potential was later explored by artists like Francisco Goya.

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aquatint
…1768, when the French printmaker Jean-Baptiste Le Prince discovered that granulated resin gave satisfactory results. Aquatint became the most popular method of producing toned prints in the late 18th century, especially among illustrators. Its textural subtleties, however, remained largely unexplored by well-known artists except for Francisco Goya. Most of his…
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…1768, when the French printmaker Jean-Baptiste Le Prince discovered that granulated resin gave satisfactory results. Aquatint became the most popular method of producing toned prints in the late 18th century, especially among illustrators. Its textural subtleties, however, remained largely unexplored by well-known artists except for Francisco Goya. Most of his…
Read More