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Vitreography: the processes
A vitreograph is a print from a glass matrix.
These hand-pulled prints are achieved through intaglio or planographic
processes. Pioneered in modern printmaking by glass artist Harvey K. Littleton
in 1974, vitreography has been the focus of creative and technical efforts at
Littleton Studios in Spruce Pine, North Carolina since 1981. Float glass plates
3/8" thick, commonly used for windows or shelving, are run through an
etching press for both the intaglio and planographic prints.
Glass is an excellent material under compression, which, combined with its near perfect elasticity, results in no degradation of the image under pressure. Glass plates are inert to the chemicals in inks, resulting in brilliant color that is free of oxidation contamination. Vitreography uses inexpensive, readily available materials and is a relatively non-toxic form of printmaking.
Intaglio vitreographs are achieved by abrading the surface of the plate by blasting with sand or Carborundum; frosting and etching with hydrofluoric acid and/or grinding with diamond tip tools or other hard points or wheels. These techniques create recessed areas in the glass surface that will hold ink. Planographic vitreographs are made using a stencil of silicone over water-soluble drawing materials. After the silicone is cured and the drawing is washed out, the plates are rolled up and printed like traditional a lithograph, but without water. The silicone layer repels ink in non-image areas.
All prints produced at Littleton Studios are hand-pulled on acid free 100% rag or rice paper, using archival inks. They are made in limited editions of 50 or fewer (we have two editions of 80 prints each). Every print sold comes with complete documentation. Prints are priced unmatted and unframed excluding shipping.
Please contact The Littleton Collection for more information.
Photo: Master Printer Judith O'Rourke pulling a print. The glass plate can be seen on the press bed. It rests inside a composition board frame that keeps the margins of the paper level with the printing surface. Photo courtesy of Clarence Morgan.
Links to other sites that feature information about vitreography:
www.portlandpress.net/vitreographs.html
www.baschwar.com/printmakers/Vitreography111499/index.html
http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~kenk/vitreogr.html
www.thewildgardener.com/Littleton.html
Other information about Harvey Littleton
The Littleton Collection is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County.
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