Real Art or Kitsch ?

How to Identify a Print and When Is It a Reproduction?

When you hold a print close to your eyes, you might sometimes notice a grid or dot pattern. This can give the impression that you're dealing with a reproduction, but that's not necessarily the case. Different printing techniques leave behind their own unique marks. For example, a screen print may show the mesh grid, while a digital image almost always displays a dot structure. Even when there is forgery, it is often so finely executed that only experts can uncover it after careful examination.

Deception is typically only profitable with works by famous artists. A notable example is the reprints of Rembrandt's etching plates in the 19th century. These were made from the original plates that had survived but were sold as 17th-century prints. These weren't forgeries but reprints marketed as originals. Only a thorough analysis of the ink and paper can determine the period when the print was made. However, if old paper was also used, even a paper analysis might not provide complete certainty.

The Role of the Artist

For contemporary prints, you can generally trust the information provided by the artist, especially when it involves lesser-known names. However, famous artists are more frequently the target of fraud. Therefore, it's important to remain cautious, especially when dealing with major names in the art world.

Techniques for Identifying Prints

There are several guidelines that can help determine which printing technique you're dealing with:

1. Plate Mark: If there's an impression from the plate on the paper and you can see or feel lines from the print on the back of the paper, you're likely looking at an intaglio print, such as an etching.

2. Raised Lines: In an etching, the lines may sometimes be slightly raised on the paper. This happens because the paper is pressed deeply into the grooves of the plate.

3. Grid Structure: If you see a grid structure, it's likely not an intaglio, relief, or lithograph print. It could be a screen print, computer print, or a reproduction using offset printing or halftone. Although the halftone technique is rarely used today, it remains a possibility.

4. Ink Layer: A thick layer of ink often indicates relief or stencil printing. In intaglio and planographic printing, a thick ink layer is usually not possible, as the pressure from the press would cause the ink to spread.

Originality vs. Reproduction

Identifying prints is usually not too difficult. Even without extensive knowledge of the various techniques, with a bit of practice, you can often tell what type of print you're dealing with. However, determining the originality of the print is where the challenge lies. This requires deeper analysis, particularly with older works or when there's suspicion of forgery.

In summary, while the technique used to make a print can often be easily identified, the question of originality is a more complex issue, one that sometimes can only be answered by experts.