silverpoint

American  

[sil-ver-point] / ˈsɪl vərˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. a technique of drawing with a silver stylus on specially prepared paper.

2. a drawing made by this technique.

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silverpoint British  

/ ˈsɪlvəˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. a drawing technique popular esp in the 15th and 16th centuries, using an instrument with a silver wire tip on specially prepared paper

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Etymology

Origin of silverpoint

First recorded in 1880–85; silver + point

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

silverpoint

We see Hans Holbein the Elder’s magnificent silverpoint portrait of Mathes Roriczer, drawn about 1490.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

The lines, made with graphite or silverpoint, waver slightly; the surfaces are often smudgy or blotchy.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 25, 2022

The final price of $12.2 million was marginally better than the $11.5 million given in 2001 for Leonardo’s slightly larger silverpoint study “Horse and rider,” the previous auction high for a drawing by the artist.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 8, 2021

Laetitia Masson, an expert in old master drawings at Christie's, described silverpoint as "a very difficult technique, because it doesn't really admit any mistake".

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2021

We learned how to use the abacus together; we learned about mixing oils; he taught me silverpoint and charcoal; we worked with pastels, with gold leaf.

From Voices from the Past by Bartlett, Paul Alexander