Focusing on the development of graphic art in Chile from the 1950s until now, the display highlights 35 engravings produced by key Chilean engravers in various techniques.

The engraving as a work of art appeared in Chile in the second half of the 19th century. It has sprung up out of folk art, when poets wrote their poems on soft sheets of paper whereupon texts were accompanied by woodcuts. The first Chilean engravers were trained in a Workshop of Graphic Art set up under the School of Applied Arts in 1931. Later, there was established “Workshop 99” that gave a start in life to such masters as  Haim Cruz, Pedro Millard, Santos Chaves, Lea Kleiner, Eduardo Vilches, Nemecio Antunes and Roser Bru, whose work can be seen at the exhibition. Since the second half of the 20th century Chile has made a rapid progress in the engraving techniques.

The Art Gallery of the University of Concepcion continues promoting its museum activity aimed at preservation and fostering the Chilean visual art.