Are Intaglio Prints Originals or Just Prints?
What is an Intaglio Print?
Intaglio is a printmaking technique where the design is engraved, etched, or incised into a metal plate (often copper or zinc). Ink is applied to the recessed lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Paper is then pressed onto the plate with high pressure to transfer the ink, creating the print.
Original vs. Reproductive Prints
The classification of intaglio prints as "originals" or "reproductions" depends on the intent behind the work and the process:
Original Prints:
- Artist-Created Plates: If the artist designs, engraves, or etches the plate specifically for the intaglio process, the resulting prints are considered original works of art.
- Limited Editions: Artists often produce a limited number of prints (an edition), each signed and numbered, which further emphasises their originality.
- Hand-Pulled Prints: Each print is individually inked and pressed by hand, ensuring slight variations that make each one unique.
Reproductive Prints:
- Mechanical Reproductions: If an intaglio process is used to reproduce an existing artwork (e.g., a painting or drawing) that wasn’t originally intended for the medium, the prints are classified as reproductions rather than originals.
- Commercial Printing: In cases where prints are mass-produced using an intaglio-like process, these are not considered original.
Intaglio as an Artistic Medium
Artists like Francisco Goya, Albrecht Dürer, and Rembrandt used intaglio techniques to create original works of art. These works are highly valued as originals because:
- The plate itself is a physical manifestation of the artist's creative process.
- The artist controls each step of the production, from plate preparation to the final print.
Market and Museum Perception
- Art Market: Limited-edition intaglio prints by artists are considered collectible, often as original works.
- Museums: Intaglio prints created by an artist are frequently displayed as original artworks, akin to drawings or paintings.
Conclusion
Intaglio prints can absolutely be classed as originals when they are created as part of an artist’s deliberate and creative process. However, if the intaglio process is used to replicate pre-existing artworks or in commercial contexts, they are considered reproductions. The key lies in the artist's intent and involvement in the process.
Black Rain Engravings | 2024
Arte Delux has classified Simon Lee Robson's The Black Rain Engravings | 2024 collection as original artwork rather than limited edition prints, emphasising the unique nature of intaglio as an artistic process. In this case, the copper plates used were merely tools, with the final printed intaglios serving as the definitive originals. Since the original plates have been lost or destroyed, these prints are the only surviving manifestations of the artist’s intent, reinforcing their status as authentic, original works rather than reproductions.
