Corrado & Gianluca Albicocco

Expanding the possibilities of intaglio printing

• Corrado is an international master of chalcography
• Gianluca, his son, has taken up the generational baton
• They collaborate at the highest level with contemporary artists

Having moved to Udine from his native Urbino, Corrado Albicocco trained as a tireless self-taught experimenter. In 1974 he founded his own Stamperia d'Arte, which soon became a point of reference for great international artists. Among these, Emilio Vedova, Jannis Kounellis, David Tremlett, Emilio Isgrò. Since 2010, Corrado is joined by his son Gianluca, a graduate in business economics, to whom he passed on his passion. Together the Albicocco father and son specialise in intaglio printing, a print made by engraving zinc or copper plates. The techniques used are ancient: etching, aquatint, drypoint, sugar method, black method, ceramolle, pictorial manner, and they also use the carborundum method. In their work the crucial factor is their symbiotic relationship with the artists, a fruitful dialogue that leads to mutual growth and enrichment.

Interview

©Stamperia d’arte Albicocco

©Stamperia d’arte Albicocco

What do you learn from working with artists?

Gianluca: Artists are the most important thing for us: without them we would not exist. We learn a lot from them, both from a human (sometimes even philosophical), and from a professional point of view. The established artists we work with are, above all, great professionals. This leads us to grow in many ways.

Do you teach your craft?

Corrado: Today, when intaglio engraving is less and less used by artists, we give artists technical insights. Soon they see the magic of engraving, they understand its importance for their artistic growth. It is a craft that requires patience, precision and dedication. The approach is completely different than with a canvas or a blank sheet of paper. Engraving does not 'forgive'.

Have you developed any particular new techniques?

Corrado: There are only a few engraving techniques and we have not invented any new ones. Dealing with different artists, we have to satisfy their various needs, each time finding the solutions to obtain what the artist wants. Our journey is enriched with these new experiences and we never stop learning.

Can you tell us about a memorable moment in your career?

Corrado: In almost 50 years, there are many. But a truly memorable moment is when I made about 100 tests of Emilio Vedova's Oltre series. I was terrified! His joy when he saw the prints is unforgettable. “I wish I could do in painting what you do with these engravings,” he told me.

Corrado & Gianluca Albicocco are master artisans: they began their career in 1972 and they started teaching in 1997

Works

©Stamperia d’arte Albicocco

©Stamperia d’arte Albicocco

©Stamperia d’arte Albicocco

©Stamperia d’arte Albicocco

Where