The Steel Pen and the Modern Line of Beauty

Abstract

The steel pen, made commonplace by mass production during the last century, clearly influenced the graphic arts. Although aspects of the history of the pen itself have been documented here and there, the significance of its use has scarcely been discussed. This article argues that its introduction and development after 1800 responded to, supported, and helped to shape the first modern style, neoclassicism, and successive idioms or styles. Its history, like that of other artists' media introduced during the century, also reveals important interactions among technical, social, and cultural responses to compelling interests and needs at the beginning of our age.