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Printmaking is an area within auctions that many people find a bit intimidating to explore and purchase from. What do all the different terms, printing techniques, and editions really mean? However, the truth is that it doesn’t have to be as complicated as it sounds. Moreover, this is a category filled with hidden gems and affordable purchases. With some intuition, patience, and knowledge, anyone has the opportunity to build a truly fine collection of prints by renowned artists for a very reasonable sum.
Many dismiss prints as "reproduced art" without understanding the craftsmanship and effort behind them. That’s why it’s essential to learn about the different printmaking techniques, how they work, and how they affect the appearance of the artwork. There are numerous printing methods, but here we will go through the four most common ones found at auctions.
Understanding the Signature
One of the most important things when examining a print is identifying the artist. Some signatures are easy to decipher, while others can be much more challenging. If you are unable to determine the signature yourself, you can turn to an auction house for a free valuation, where you will hopefully find out who the artist is.
Picasso, Pissarro pr Pizarro?
Beyond the artist, it is also crucial to determine the technique used for the print. Below, we go through four of the most common techniques found on the auction market.
Etchings
Etching refers to both the technique and the resulting artwork. It is a type of intaglio printmaking, meaning that the inked areas are recessed. These recesses can be created mechanically or chemically. Etching is an example of a chemically produced intaglio print.
The process starts with the artist covering a copper plate with wax. Using an etching needle, the artist scratches the design into the wax. The plate is then exposed to acid, such as nitric acid, which bites into the exposed areas, creating the image. Once this process is complete, ink is applied to the plate, wiped clean so that only the ink remains in the recessed areas, and then printed onto paper.
A key term in etching is "état." After producing several prints, an artist might make modifications to the plate and then print another series with these changes, creating a new "état." A great example is Anders Zorn, considered one of Sweden’s foremost etchers. His etchings often exist in multiple states.
The size of an etching is always referred to as the plate size, measured at the outermost edge of the etched plate.
Artists sometimes etched their signatures into the plate, which is referred to as "plate-signed." However, they often also hand-signed their prints, and a hand-signed print is generally more valuable than one with only a plate signature. Etchings are quite affordable today, possibly because they are often perceived as dark and somber. In Sweden, Anders Zorn’s etchings are the most expensive, but a good piece can still be found for around 5,000 SEK. A Carl Larsson etching can cost between 2,000-3,000 SEK, and a great investment is Axel Fridell, one of Sweden’s greatest printmakers. His print "Mr. Simmonds" is highly sought after and valued at approximately 100,000 SEK, while his other works range from 500-5,000 SEK.
Copper Engraving
Copper engraving is another intaglio technique, but it is created mechanically. The design is carved into a copper plate using a burin. Once the design is complete, ink is applied to the plate and printed onto paper. The resulting image is a mirror image of the original carving, so the artist must plan accordingly.
Copper engraving was particularly popular during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries and was commonly used in books for illustrations and maps.
Today, antique copper engraving are among the most affordable prints available. You can find engravings from the 16th century for just a few thousand SEK, and 18th-century prints can cost as little as a few hundred SEK.
Woodcut
Woodcut is a relief printing technique, meaning that the inked areas are raised rather than recessed, as in etching and engraving.
The artist carves the design into a wooden block, and there are two primary printing methods: the multi-block method, where each block contributes a different color, and the single-block method, where the same block is used for all colors in sequential layers. The drawback of the single-block method is that once all colors are printed, additional prints cannot be made.
One of Sweden’s most famous artists to use woodcut was Svenolov Ehrén, known for his atmospheric depictions of Stockholm. Lars Lerin has also worked with woodcut.
Japanese Woodcuts
The most commonly seen woodcuts at Swedish auctions are Japanese woodcuts featuring subjects such as legends, theater scenes, samurais, and sumo wrestlers. These prints use the multi-block method with water-based inks, similar to watercolor. Since water-based inks require delicate handling, thin Japanese paper is used, allowing the artist to monitor the printing process through the paper.
These woodcuts were also used to illustrate books. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a wave of Japanese influence spread across Europe, leading to increased demand for these prints.
Japanese woodcuts can range in price from a few hundred SEK to millions for the right pieces.
Lithography
Lithography is by far the most common printmaking technique. It is based on the principle that oil and water repel each other, meaning no depth variations are needed in the printing surface. This is known as planographic printing.
A stone or metal plate is used as the printing surface. The surface is grained and degreased before the artist draws directly onto it. The image can also be transferred via transfer paper or photomechanical processes.
Many 20th-century artists have produced significant lithographic works, including Madeleine Pyk, Peter Dahl, Lennart Jirlow, Lennart Rodhe, and Pierre Olofsson.
Is the Print Numbered?
Unlike paintings, prints are usually produced in multiple copies. Editions can range from a few to several thousand prints, though lithographs typically have editions of 200-300, while etchings usually have smaller runs.
Apart from the numbered editions, there are smaller special series:
Trial Proof (Provtryck)
Trial Proof (PT): Early test prints that were kept instead of being discarded, often given to the artist or collaborators.
EA
EA (Épreuve d'artiste): The artist's proof, kept by the artist for personal use or gifts.
HC
HC (Hors commerce): Not intended for sale, traditionally used for exhibitions.
Examining the Condition
When purchasing prints, carefully inspect the condition. Many older prints have been poorly framed with non-acid-free materials, causing yellowing and stains. Prints are also vulnerable to moisture, so display your new graphics someplace but your bathroom walls.
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