If you are reading this blog, you probably like art. And even if you landed here totally by accident, you probably own some form of art. But is it original art or a reproduction? And how do you tell? If you already know the answer, you may not learn anything new here today. But if you’re not sure, read on! The first clue about whether or not the art is original is where you buy it. If it is directly from the artist, or in a reputable gallery, chances are it is original. And you can always ask. If it is in a home or renovation store (Home Depot, Winners, etc.) it is no doubt a reproduction. And even if it may look like the surface has brushstrokes on it, the fact that there is a whole stack of the same painting for sale is a dead giveaway! If it is in the secondary market, i.e. it is being resold, it could be either. Who hasn’t seen an episode of the Antiques Road Show where a flea market find has turned out to be an original oil painting by some obscure but still valuable artist? You may be wondering what exactly is meant by “original” and “reproduction”. To confuse matters, whereas it is actually an art form in its own right, the word “print” is now being commonly used to designate both originals and reproductions! An original work of art is a piece in which the artist has had direct input. I give that vague description because the artwork could be designed by the artist but actually produced by his “atelier”. An original work of art is usually one-of-a-kind. There may be several similar copies of the design, but each one was produced by the artist, not by someone copying or imitating the design. For example, a limited edition print will be similar to the other prints in the edition, but each one will have a unique number, like “1 of 10”, usually hand-written, and may also be signed a second time by the artist. Limited editions are called limited because there is a finite number of them in circulation, and although less valuable than the original artwork from which they were made, they can go up in value. Open editions, on the other hand, although usually very inexpensive to purchase, will never go up in value, as unlimited quantities more can be printed whenever needed, usually by mechanical means. A term that has crept into the art vocabulary in the last few years is “giclée”. It sounds so fancy, but it in fact is nothing more than a frenchified word for “ink jet”. It is not a medium used for producing original art, it is a printing (reproduction) technique and can be done on paper, wood or canvas. Don’t be fooled! I recently saw a few art pieces showing in the same space as original art, where the medium was listed as “Giclée (Oil)” and where the artist was selling this mechanical reproduction for as much as others were selling original works. Very deceptive in my opinion! So what is wrong with reproductions? Nothing, really, as long as you know that is what you are getting. If your artwork’s purpose is strictly decorative, then reproductions can do the job, and in some rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms, they may actually be a smarter choice than originals! You can swap them out when you change up your decor and not worry about having spent too much. Just don’t expect to be able to sell them for anywhere near what you paid. If you don’t believe me, check the quantities of decorative art for sale on Kijiji or Marketplace. People are literally giving it away. And actually, you can occasionally pick up some original art there for not a whole lot of money! Rarely is it good, but it is original! Original art is more expensive than comparably sized reproductions. But it is original. No one else will have this picture on their walls. People will notice and ask you about the art, and you will have a story to tell about how you met the artist, or how you found it at a garage sale! Because you chose it, it will tell people something about you. And every time you look at it, the art piece will remind you of how you felt when you first saw it, so make sure you buy only original art that you love. I strongly believe that everyone should own at least one piece of original art. There is magic in knowing that you share a connection through time and space with another human being, who first thought up then created this very piece of art, held it in his or her hands, looked down at it for hours, perhaps days or weeks, stroking its surface with brushes or pens or sculpting tools, deciding what went where, and struggled with it until it was done. Just for you! So what is my message? Buying reproductions is easy. Buying original art is harder, but it can also be much more rewarding. Do your research, because when something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Visit a lot of art shows and don’t expect to like everything you see there. Figure out what you do like. Don’t be in a hurry to buy, but don’t regret not having bought that art piece that called out to you when you first saw it. If possible, buy directly from an artist. Visit their studio and see where the sausage is made. It will only add to the story you tell your friends and make you a patron of the arts!
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AuthorMy name is Claire Bureau. Archives
March 2023
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