what is an etching?

[shivvy]

I like the naughty dogs of paris by boris o klein and I notice that they are called etchings. What characteristics does the term etching describe in a picture?

[Clanad]

Not to be confused with engravings, etching is an intaglio printing process in which an etching needle is used to draw into a wax ground applied over a metal plate. The plate is then submerged in a series of acid baths, each biting into the metal surface only where unprotected by the wax. The ground is removed, ink is forced into the etched depressions, the unetched surfaces wiped, and an impression is printed. Also, both the design etched on a plate and an impression made from an etched plate. (Thanks to Definitions for Art) Another process called Dry Pont etching, which is a process in which burrs are left on the metal plate by a pointed needle (or "pencil") that directly inscribes lines. It's a kind of etching which has a soft, fuzzy line because of the metal burrs. Its disadvantage is that because such plates wear out quickly, editions are usually limited to 50 or fewer prints...