The main characteristic of engraving is:

• A. Carving relief on wood blocks.
• B. Gilding metal surfaces.
• C. Printing from incised lines.
• D. Embellishing metal surfaces with incised pictures.

Answer: (D)

Engraving is defined by printing from lines that have been incised into a metal plate. The artist cuts grooves with a sharp tool, then ink is spread over the surface and wiped away, so the ink remains only in those incised lines. Paper is pressed onto the plate, and the ink in the grooves is transferred, producing the image. This focus on incised lines and intaglio printing differentiates engraving from other methods.

Gilding metal surfaces involves applying a thin layer of gold, which is decorative rather than a printing technique. Carving relief on wood blocks creates raised surfaces that hold ink for printing, which is a different process from engraving on a metal plate. Embellishing metal surfaces with incised pictures describes decorative engraving on metal objects, not the reproductive printmaking method engraving is most known for. The defining feature, then, is printing from the incised lines themselves.