Introduction

  • Is it a print?
  • Is it an artist's print?
  • Is it a copy?
  • Is it a reproduction?
  • Is it a mere reproduction?
This exhibition endeavours to answer these questions. It will be seen that, at times, the issues are not clear-cut, that there is a degree of grey and not just black-and-white. The tone of the exposition is descriptive rather than prescriptive - it does not seek to impose a hierarchy of values. It does not insist that an artist's print by virtue of its own special characteristics is necessarily better than a reproduction. It does, though, try to explain the differences between the various types of prints and that hopefully, after viewing the exhibition the viewer will be able to make conscious, informed decisions regarding the differences. In order to arrive at what constitutes the various types of prints, it is necessary to discuss the historical background and, so,

a very brief history.......

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intro
brief history
the 1890s
photomechanical
artist's signature
documentation
definitions
reproductions
raisonné
conclusion

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