Puntasecca

PUNT'ASECCA. — P. is understood to mean an engraving obtained by the artist working directly on the metal plate with a burin having a conical point or, whenever a particularly fine execution requires it, with a diamond point.

The mark obtained is not sharp because of the presence of the burrs, which soften its edges and give the print a distinctive velvety softness; on the other hand, their extreme fragility considerably limits the number of good impressions that can be taken from a plate, unless the plate itself is steel-faced. This technique, used on its own or combined with others—especially etching—is still among the most widely used today.