ArtBohemia

Art Print by G. Bodenehr
Printing from a woodblock was the earliest form of printing and was invented in China around the 9th century. To other sources it goes back to around 150 AD. Anyway - it took a long time until the knowledge of printing came to Europe. The origins of printmaking in Europe go back to the beginning of paper making around the year 1390.
Print Editions
The number of images printed in one process from the printing block or plate (woodblock, steel plate, stone, linoleum), is called an edition. The number of art prints produced in one edition was (and still is) determined by commercial aspects and by limitations of the block - depending on the technique used. In the 19th century, artists started numbering an edition with the well-known two number system. For example, 97/200 means that this is the 97th impression out of an edition of 200 art prints. Additional signs of authenticity are often added to a print to make it authentic like an artist's signature in pencil, a seal or a stampmark.
Unfortunately it is not as simple as that example. Usually an artist receives 10-15% out of an edition for his own use. These impressions are called artist's proofs and are in addition to the numbered edition. To make things even more complicated, the publisher and/or printer sometimes receives 10-15 % out of the edition. These prints are called hors du commerce (not for commerce). In the art market, you will find the following expressions and abbreviations for these very special prints:
English artist proof a.p.
French épreuve d'artiste e.a.
French hors du commerce h.c.
Italian prova d'artista p.a.
German Künstlerabzug
Sometimes artist's proofs are used to hide the real number of an edition. Another tricky way is to publish another edition - this time using roman numbers. And frequently you find yet another edition, printed on different paper. The only way to get full information on an artist's edition, is the so-called catalog raisonnée (see below).
A subsequent print from an original block authorized by the artist is called a late edition. A restrike is made from the original block, but the words are usually used for prints without the authorization of the artist - for instance posthumous prints edited by the publisher or the widow. A reproduction is a later copy of an original and is usually considered as something without any artistic or market value.
There are many discussions among experts about the question "what is an original art print". A common definition of an original art print is the requirement of a manual creation of the printing block by the artist and at least the subsequent supervising of the printing process. This definition can be strictly applied for modern art prints. However when looking at some of the old masters, these works were often produced by skillful and highly specialized carvers. And for Japanese woodblock prints, the whole process was separated between the artist who made the drawing, the carver and the printer.
Catalog Raisonné
Especially for art prints of the 20th and the 19th century, documentations were made by scholars, publishers, art enthusiasts and sometimes by the artists themselves about all the works created by a particular artist. These documentations describing each work painstakingly with all details, are called catalog raisonné.
Abbreviations
On old art prints you sometimes find abbreviations taken from Latin or French words.
Latin pinx. (pinxit) painted by
del. (delincavit) designed by
inv. (invenit) invented by
fec. (fecit) made by
sculp. (sculpsit) engraved by
inc. (incisit) engraved by
exc. (excudit) published by
imp. (imprenit) printed by
French dessinée par designed/painted by
gravé par engraved by
impr. (imprimé) printed by
Conservation Tips for Art Prints
Everybody who acquires an original art print, should feel a moral obligation to preserve a valuable cultural heritage and not only an object of market value. Here are some recommendations how to preserve a print well.
Use a mat for framing or for storing a print to avoid direct contact between the glass and the print to make sure the air can circulate.
Use only acid-free mats.
Never cut or trim a print.
Do not apply any tapes or glues to a print
Do not expose prints to bright sunlight.
The Condition of an Art Print
The market value of an art print can differ considerably depending in which condition it is. For instance, when a print has been trimmed (margins cut off) the value is lower. Elegant yet not too rarefied, this attractive site caters to novice and seasoned collector alike, offering upscale collectibles and mid-range fine art and antiques. Beyond its 15,000 items in 13 categories, it has an impressive schedule of Special Auctions, whose themes are consistently engaging. "Ansel Adams and the American Landscape," "We've Got Cher, Babe," and "Impressionist and Modern Art" to name a few, the latter done in conjunction with Sotheby's high-end live sale. Prices range from a few hundred bucks to tens of thousands, available at a "Bid" or "Buy Now" price. Original Pissarro's and Warhol's mingle with stuff that looks as if it was culled from Grandma's summer cottage. For the cream of Sotheby's offerings, purchase catalogs of its live auctions, which are available online, now with illustrations.
BEST: The Special Auctions are an exciting opportunity for novice and niche collectors. The connoisseur guides are not to be missed, either.
WORST: The exceptions to its authenticity guarantee, for instance: "The Authenticity Guarantee does not apply to the authorship of Chinese and Japanese paintings, regardless of the date of creation."