'Das große Lexikon der Graphik' is one of the most comprehensive German-language reference works on the graphic arts. The volume is divided into several major sections. It opens with an introduction to drawing as an artistic discipline, followed by a comprehensive explanation of printmaking techniques including woodcut, engraving, etching, lithography, mezzotint, aquatint, drypoint and screen printing. A historical survey traces the evolution of graphic art from its earliest origins to the twentieth century. The core of the book consists of an alphabetical dictionary containing approximately one thousand biographies of printmakers, illustrators and draughtsmen from around the world. A second encyclopaedic section explains technical terminology related to drawing and printmaking, while the closing chapters provide practical guidance for collectors concerning authenticity, editions, paper, signatures, preservation and valuation. The volume is illustrated with around seven hundred photographs and reproductions, making it both an authoritative reference work and a visual history of graphic art. (AI-generated content description)