intaglio

noun

in·​ta·​glio in-ˈtal-(ˌ)yō  -ˈtäl- 

-ˈta-glē-ˌō,

-ˈtä-

plural intaglios

1

a

: an engraving or incised figure in stone or other hard material depressed below the surface so that an impression from the design yields an image in relief

b

: the art or process of executing intaglios

c

: printing (as in die stamping and gravure) done from a plate in which the image is sunk below the surface

2

: something (such as a gem) carved in intaglio

Illustration of intaglio

• intaglio 1a

Did you know?

Engraved or incised work where the design is sunk into the surface is called intaglio, and is the opposite of cameo, where the design is in relief. Intaglio designs are made on gemstones, glass, ceramics, stone, or similar material. It is the most ancient form of gem engraving: the earliest known Babylonian cylinder seals date from c. 4000 bce. The term intaglio is also used to describe printmaking processes in which the design is cut, scratched, or etched into a printmaking surface of copper, zinc, or aluminum; ink is then rubbed into the incisions or grooves, the surface wiped clean, and the paper is embossed into the incised lines with pressure from a roller press. Intaglio processes are the most versatile of printmaking methods, as they can produce a wide range of effects.

Examples of intaglio in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her pieces use components that are millennia old, such as museum quality cylinder seals, cameos and intaglios from the ancient Roman and Mesopotamian eras. —Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 June 2025

The book is structured around ten thematic chapters, beginning with ancient cameos and intaglios to naturalist pieces from the nineteenth century. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

Left to right: an intaglio of Bacchus; an intaglio of Minerva; an intaglio of a Roman youth. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024

In the background are wooden cabinets in which Townley presumably housed smaller treasures, including countless cameos and intaglios. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from intagliare to engrave, cut, from Medieval Latin intaliare, from Latin in- + Late Latin taliare to cut — more at tailor

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

intaglio

noun

in·​ta·​glio in-ˈtal-yō  -ˈtag-lē-ˌō 

plural intaglios

: an engraving cut deeply into the surface of a hard material (as stone)