Joie de Vivre

Letterio Calapai

Letterio Calapai learned intaglio engraving at the suggestion of Atelier 17 founder Stanley William Hayter and he spent 3 years working at the experimental atelier in New York.

This print is a combination of engraving, etching and deep bite gauffrage. The deeply embossed white elements are bitten with acid or removed from the plate using tools. They are so deep that the ink cannot print and they register on the paper as a third dimension.

This artist's proof impression of "Joie de Vivre" or "Joy of Life" is printed in black and white, the preceding proof, #4 was printed in color. Calapai ultimately printed a published edition of 20 impression.