Art Knowledge
What is the Secondary Market?
These are art dealers that specialize in sold out editions that can no longer be purchased from the publisher or distributor in pristine condition with Certificate of Authenticity. Art Link Index has the ability to sell available inventory and search for various titles, based on availability when a collector is searching for a particular piece. Secondary market prices are based on market activity.
What is a Studio Proof?
A Studio Proof canvas is made with a textured brushstroke process making it look like the original painting. It is then finished in oil by a master highlighter, who also draws an original remarque on the back of the canvas. Each unique canvas is created under the artist's close supervision. Upon satisfactory completion, the artist applies final highlights himself, and hand signs the front of the canvas in metallic ink. Finally, a foil-stamped gold Studio Proof seal is applied to the back. Each Studio Proof is designated by the letters S/P after the print number.
What is a Certificate of Authenticity?
A Certificate of Authenticity or COA is a piece of paper (certificate) given to a buyer along with an artwork as proof that the piece is authentic. Typical information given is the title of the artwork, the medium, size, date of creation, edition size and edition number. COA's were not created until the late 1980's so all prints do not come with it. Some artists used a stamp imprinted at the bottom.
What is the difference between an Artist Proof and a Limited Edition?
An artist proof comes in a very small edition size, typically representing 10% of the limited edition size. This accounts for the higher price of an artist proof which results in a higher resale value. The artist proof prints are the first prints created and are the same quality as the regular edition prints. It is the same physical size and there is no difference in the color or quality of the print itself.
What is a Giclee Print and Canvas Giclee?
The word "giclée" (pronounced zhee-cay) was created by printmaker Jack Duganne who wanted name for the new type of prints he was producing on the "Iris" printer, a large format, high resolution industrial inkjet printer they had adapted for fine art printing. To make the word descriptive of inkjet technology he based it on the French word "le gicleur" meaning "nozzle" or more specifically "gicler", meaning "to squirt, spurt, or spray liquid.. Giclee prints are images produced from high resolution digital scans, utilizing archival inks onto canvas and fine art paper. The giclee printing process provides better color accuracy than other means of production.
What is a Serigraph?
The serigraphic process requires the use of fine mesh screens to hand separate the colors of the image. To produce a serigraphic print, a separate stencil-like screen is created for each area that is to be printed in one color of ink. The ink is then squeegeed through the screen onto high quality heavy paper. The inks sit on top of the paper and is not absorbed by the paper as in other techniques, the final serigraphic print actually looks like a painting on paper.
What is a Remarque?
A remarque is defined as a small original drawing or sketch by the artist, usually in the margin of some or all of the final prints within an edition.
What is a Printer’s Proof?
These are the few first prints that are created that must meet the approval of the artist, allowing the artist to make any changes to improve the original image. These PP’s are sometimes signed by the artist to show their appreciation to the printer.
What is an EP (examination proof)?
This edition is a preview edition sent out to galleries before the official release of the image. The EP has a very small edition size and also features hand highlighting and the DNA Signature.
What is a Watermark?
A watermark is a recognizable image or pattern in paper that appears as various shades of lightness or darkness when viewed by transmitted light (or when viewed by reflected light, atop a dark background), caused by thickness or density variations in the paper. A watermark can vary greatly in visibility where some are obvious on casual inspection, others require some study to pick out.
What is a Brushstroked Canvas?
Each canvas is highlighted by the original artist or trained artists, using the highest quality oil paints to highlight each image by hand. A brushstroked canvas is virtually indistinguishable from the original painting.
What is a Canvas Transfer?
First, the print is coated with an adhesive spray or brush with a special acrylic that seizes the ink. After drying, the resulting ink film is embedded into high quality artist's canvas. Rigid standards and meticulous attention to detail maximize ink retention, paper removal, and bonding. At this point, the picture has an image true to the original painting with a lustrous oil sheen and rich canvas texture. All canvas transfers are cropped to the image so that there is no white boarder.
What does US mean?
Unstretched (canvas)
Art Collecting
The truth is art collecting is a skill that needs to be learned. If you want to improve your collecting skills initiate exposure to different art styles by attending national or international art expositions. This will help you to determine what your preferences are and allow you to broaden your perspective of various types of art and awaken a new passion, paving the road to becoming an art collector. Buy what you enjoy and what enhances your home or place of business.