The Luminous Trace

The origins of metalpoint (silverpoint, goldpoint, etc.) drawing are widely thought to lie in classical antiquity. The Luminous Trace investigates the artefactual and literary evidence for the use of metalpoint through the ages from earliest times up to its revival, particularly in the United States, in the later 20th and early 21st centuries, reviewing the history and historiography of metalpoint and its use for drawing and writing. Metalpoint drawings are the central objects of this study and their physical features are the prime consideration, juxtaposed with the written evidence which may suggest why artefacts look as they do. Contents: Chapter 1: The challenge of drawing in metalpoint Chapter 2: Ancient drawing and writing materials Chapter 3: Drawing and writing in metalpoint in the Middle Ages Chapter 4: The metalpoint in Trecento Italy Chapter 5: The meaning of the appearance of Quattrocento metalpoint drawings Chapter 6: Metalpoints for drawing and writing: late Gothic and early modern northern Europe Chapter 7: Modern metalpoint Appendix 1: Joseph Meder. Das Buchlein vom Silberstift. Vienna, 1909. Reproduction of the original German text and a translation by Susan Thorne Appendix 2: Bibliographical review of recent conservation literature on analysis and conservation of metalpoint drawings Appendix 3: Selected glossary Appendix 4: Examination conditions (tabular form) Bibliography Index