Marcus Chen
There are several ways to determine whether a painting is an original or a print. Firstly, original paintings often have visible brush strokes or layers of paint that can be seen or felt, whereas prints may lack depth and have a repeating pattern of tiny coloured dots, visible with a magnifying glass. Secondly, the edges of the painting can be indicative; prints often have clean, straight edges created by the plate used, whereas paintings done directly on a surface may have uneven or ragged edges. Thirdly, the substrate can be a clue, as oil or acrylic paintings are often on canvas, while prints are usually on paper. Additionally, examining the signature, its placement, and the colours used can help identify a print or original. Lastly, authentic pieces often allow light to pass through the canvas when held up, which is not the case with most prints.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Individual brush strokes | Real paintings usually have individual brush strokes that can be seen or felt. |
| Substrate | Oil or acrylic paintings are usually on canvas, while prints are usually on paper. |
| Dots | Prints are often made up of tiny coloured dots arranged in a repeating pattern throughout the painting. |
| Clean, straight edges | Prints usually have clean, straight edges, whereas paintings usually have uneven or ragged edges that extend to the edges of the surface. |
| Light | When held up to the light, authentic paintings usually allow some light to come through the canvas, while prints do not. |
| Layers | Original paintings usually have several layers visible to the naked eye, whereas forgeries tend to lack depth. |
| Signature | The placement and positioning of the signature are important. Good forgers can reproduce signatures but may overlook the standard placement used by the artist. |
| Copyright symbol | A copyright symbol followed by a date and name of the creator does not indicate whether a work is a reproduction or an original. |
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Brush strokes
When it comes to brush strokes, there are several factors that can help you determine whether a painting is an original or a print. Originals often display varied, textured brush strokes that create depth and dimension. The presence of unique brush strokes is a key characteristic of an original work. Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Gaugin, for instance, have distinct brush strokes that can be seen or felt upon close inspection.
However, it is important to note that some artists aim to eliminate brush stroke evidence. They achieve this by using numerous layers of thin, translucent pigments and glazes, resulting in subtle colour and tone variations. This technique was employed by Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Peter Paul Rubens, as well as Luminist artists such as Frederick Edwin Church and photorealists like Chuck Close. Consequently, their paintings often exhibit a smooth, lacquered surface devoid of visible brush strokes.
To discern between original paintings and prints, it is essential to understand the underlying principles of printing techniques. In relief printing, for instance, the artist carves out a design from a block of wood, linoleum, or metal, leaving behind raised surfaces. Ink is then applied to these flat, uncarved areas, and the block is pressed onto a receiving surface like paper or canvas. This process often results in clear edges or slight ink seepage along the boundaries.
Another printing technique is engraving, where the artist uses a handheld tool called a "burin" to remove the desired image from a plate. Engravings are characterised by distinctive lines that start at a point, gradually widen, and then taper off at the end of the stroke. Drypoint is a similar process, involving direct metal plate scratching that creates ragged, natural lines with feathery edges that hold ink well.
Planographic prints, which include lithography and serigraphy, are known for their flat surfaces resembling paintings. In lithography, the artist uses a greasy crayon or liquid to draw on a limestone slab. A solution is then applied to enable the greasy image to attract ink while repelling it from the blank areas. The stone is dampened, and printing ink is applied with a roller, adhering only to the image. Finally, a damp paper sheet is placed on top, transferring the image.
To summarise, examining the brushwork, texture, and depth of a painting can provide valuable insights into its authenticity. Originals often showcase distinct, textured brush strokes, while prints tend to feel flat due to the inherent limitations of the printing process. By understanding the nuances of brushwork and familiarising yourself with various printing techniques, you can make more informed decisions when navigating the complex world of art.
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Printing patterns
Prints are typically worth less than original paintings, but they are not forgeries. Here are some ways to tell if a painting is a print:
Prints are often made up of tiny coloured dots arranged in a repeating pattern throughout the painting. This can usually be seen with the naked eye or with a magnifying glass. If you cannot see any dots, it could be a Giclée print, which is a machine-made reproduction of very high quality, with extremely small pixels of colour and no perceptible dot pattern.
Straight edges
Prints often have a clean, straight, arbitrary boundary around them that does not extend to the edges of the canvas or paper. This is due to the plate used to create the work. When an artist paints directly onto a surface, the edges will be uneven or extend to the edges of the surface.
Brush strokes
Original paintings usually have individual brush strokes that can be seen or felt, especially in the works of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Gaugin. However, some artists seek to eliminate brushstroke evidence by using countless layers of thin, translucent pigments and glazes.
Light test
Hold the painting up to the light and view it from the back. Prints will often not allow light to come through the canvas, whereas authentic pieces typically will.
Material analysis
Analysing the material used to create the painting can be helpful. For example, certain types of canvas have a specific look and feel and may provide an idea of the painting's age.
Signature
The placement and positioning of a signature are important. Good forgers can reproduce signatures, but they may overlook the standard placement used by the artist. However, machine-made reproductions usually do not have handmade signatures.
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Canvas and paper
Prints are created using advanced tools and high-quality techniques to replicate original art. They capture the textures and strokes on the canvas so clearly that they appear incredibly lifelike. However, there are ways to tell whether a work is a print or an original painting.
One of the quickest ways to tell if you have an original painting is to look for losses or flaking paint. If the paint has lifted and been lost from a canvas, it is likely an original. Prints do not have a paint layer and are instead stuck onto the canvas, so the print may be peeling back, or there will be a clear line where it does not extend to the stretcher bars.
Another way to check is to use a magnifying glass to look for small dotted patterns on the canvas. Prints are often made up of tiny coloured dots arranged in a repeating pattern throughout the painting. This is a dead giveaway that you have a photomechanical reproduction rather than an original fine art print or painting. However, note that this technique may not work with Giclée works, which are reproductions of existing works, often made from high-resolution photographs.
Look at the edges of the painting. Prints usually have clean, straight edges, whereas when an artist paints directly onto a surface, the edges will be uneven or extend to the edges of the canvas.
If the work is on paper, it is likely to be a print. However, if the paper has indented where the paint was applied, it is likely to be an original watercolour painting, as the paper surface has absorbed the watercolour, causing a slight indentation or texture. Lithographs are usually printed on high-quality paper, so you can check for the texture, weight and feel of the paper.
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Artist's signatures
Artists' signatures are an important aspect of printmaking and painting, and they can provide valuable insights into the authenticity and value of an artwork. Here are some insights into artists' signatures and how they relate to prints and paintings:
Firstly, it's important to understand the different types of signatures or marks that artists may use. Artists may use their actual signatures, typically found at the bottom margin or on the back of the canvas. These signatures can vary in style and distinctiveness, with some artists having unique and clear signatures, while others may sign indistinctly or even use monograms or symbols as their signature. Monograms are unique symbols that artists adopt as an alternative form of signature, and they can be deciphered through monogram databases.
Prints, especially limited-edition prints, often feature the artist's signature as part of the printed artwork. However, the presence of a signature on a print does not necessarily indicate that it is an original work. It is important to distinguish between plate-signed prints and pencil-signed prints. While many prints are plate signed, indicating the artist's name as part of the printed design, a true signed print will have a second, hand-rendered signature by the artist, usually in the margin and often in pencil. This additional signature adds significant value to the print.
In the case of paintings, the presence or absence of a signature can be a more complex indicator of authenticity. Many paintings are either unsigned or signed indistinctly, making it challenging to attribute them to a specific artist. However, a clear and distinct signature can be a strong indicator of authenticity and can help in identifying the artist. Original oil paintings on canvas, for example, often have rough and uneven paint edges, which can be indicative of an original work, especially when combined with a clear signature.
When evaluating the significance of an artist's signature, it is essential to consider the time period and artistic genre. Certain genres may be associated with specific artists, and the style or medium of the artwork can provide clues about its authenticity. Additionally, the presence of stamps, watermarks, or other marks on the canvas or stretcher bars can help identify the supplier of the materials, providing insights into the artwork's country of origin and approximate time period. These clues, combined with signature analysis, can aid in the overall evaluation of the artwork.
Lastly, it's worth noting that the value of a print or painting can be influenced by various factors beyond the presence of a signature. For instance, limited-edition prints, which are marked with their edition size and number, tend to be more valuable than open editions due to their scarcity. Additionally, the age of a print can impact its value, with prints created during an artist's lifetime likely to be more valuable than late impressions, as they are considered to bear more of the artist's influence.
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Artwork research
When researching artwork to determine whether it is a painting or a print, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it is essential to examine the piece closely, looking for individual brush strokes that can be seen or felt, as real paintings often retain the artist's tactile marks. This is especially true for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Gauguin. However, it is worth noting that some artists intentionally eliminate brushstroke evidence, opting for layers of thin, translucent pigments and glazes to create subtle colour and tone variations.
Another distinguishing feature is the presence of a clean, straight boundary around the image. Prints often have distinct edges that do not extend to the canvas or paper's extremities, resulting from the printing process, where ink is applied to a carved block of wood, linoleum, or metal before being transferred to the receiving surface. In contrast, paintings created by directly applying paint to a surface tend to have uneven or ragged edges that reach the edges of the canvas.
The use of a magnifying glass or microscope can also aid in distinguishing between paintings and prints. Prints, especially machine-made reproductions, often consist of tiny coloured dots arranged in a repeating pattern throughout the image, which can be revealed through magnification. However, some high-quality reproductions, like Giclée prints, may not exhibit this dot pattern due to their high resolution.
Additionally, the substrate or surface of the artwork can provide clues. Oil paintings, for example, are typically created on canvas, while prints are commonly found on paper. Examining the back of the artwork can also be illuminating, as authentic paintings often allow some light to pass through the canvas, whereas prints generally do not. Furthermore, certain materials, such as the canvas itself, may exhibit specific characteristics that hint at the artwork's age.
It is also worth considering the overall depth of the piece. Original artworks often exhibit visible layers, contributing to a sense of depth, while forgeries tend to lack this dimensionality. Knowledge of the historical context, including the types of paint available during the era, can also help authenticate a piece.
Lastly, the presence of a signature or a Certificate of Authenticity can be indicative, but these should be treated with caution, as they can be skillfully forged or reproduced. Instead, focus on the placement and positioning of the signature, as forgers may overlook these details.
In summary, determining whether an artwork is a painting or a print requires a multifaceted approach that considers brush strokes, edges, magnification, substrate, lighting, depth, historical context, and signatures or certificates. By carefully examining these aspects, one can make a more informed assessment of the artwork's nature and authenticity.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to tell if a painting is a print is by examining it closely with a magnifying glass. If you see tiny coloured dots in a pattern, it is likely a machine-made reproduction.
Prints often have a clean, straight edge, whereas paintings done directly on a surface will have uneven, ragged edges that extend to the borders of the canvas.
Yes, original art pieces will usually have several layers visible to the naked eye, whereas forgeries tend to lack depth.
The placement of the signature is important. Good forgers can reproduce signatures, but they may overlook the standard position used by the artist. However, machine-made reproductions usually do not have handmade signatures.
Yes, if the painting is on paper, you can check for soiling. If there is soiling seeping through the paper, it is likely an original painting. Prints on paper do not usually have this.
