The origins of aquatint trace back to the mid-17th century, with early experiments by Jan van de Velde around 1650 in Amsterdam. However, the process was truly refined and popularized in the 1760s by the French artist Jean-Baptiste Le Prince , who initially kept his methods secret to maintain a competitive edge.

The Depth of Tone: An Exploration of Aquatint in Printmaking Introduction

: In the 20th century, artists such as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, and Joan Miró embraced the medium to combine traditional techniques with modern aesthetics. The Technical Process

The hallmark of aquatint is the use of a porous, acid-resistant ground to create "pockets" that hold ink. The process typically involves the following steps: How are etchings and aquatints made? | Artistic Techniques

: Perhaps the most famous proponent, Goya used aquatint to create the haunting, atmospheric backgrounds in his Los Caprichos series.