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Glite Dictionary
heliogravure

heliogravure

9.9
An art print made by copying a photograph onto a metal plate and printing it
  • noun
  • /ˌhɛliəˈɡrævjʊr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : heliograbado
  • Collectors often prize antique heliogravure prints for their detail and tone.

Examples

  • He studied traditional heliogravure techniques at an art institute.

  • The artist created a stunning heliogravure of the city skyline.

  • The artist used heliogravure to create stunning images.

  • Have you ever seen a heliogravure print?

  • Many art enthusiasts admire the vibrant colors of heliogravure prints.

  • The museum featured a collection of historic heliogravure artworks.

  • She displayed a beautiful heliogravure of a mountain landscape in her gallery.

Synonyms

intaglio
vsheliogravure
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A way of making prints where carved lines hold the ink

is a specific photographic metal-plate method within this broader incising technique
gravure
vsheliogravure
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A printing method using a metal plate cut to make rich, detailed pictures

is focused on photographic transfer to a metal plate rather than general engraving
photogravure
vsheliogravure
  • Archaic
9.9

A printing method that uses a photo on a metal plate to make very detailed prints

is the same photographic metal-plate process under a different name

Surface Forms

heliogravure singular
heliogravures plural

Morphology

heliogravure = gravure (opaque) = helio + gravure

The components are technical combining forms ('helio-' and 'gravure'); their meanings and the specialized printing sense are unlikely to be inferable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Heliogravure comes from Greek helios 'sun' and French gravure 'engraving', and the gravure part is like the English word 'engrave'. The name means 'sun engraving' because the process uses light to copy a photo onto a metal plate, so a heliogravure is a detailed print made from that plate.