In our Art Blog, we have spoken a lot about antique paintings and about antique prints but, in this latest article, we take a close look at the difference between a print and an original painting.
What is an original painting?
While some may question why anyone would ask this because it seems so obvious, it’s important to clarify exactly what we mean. An original painting has been created, by hand, by the artist. It is a unique piece, the first version of a painting that the artist creates, and it is important to say here that there is only ever one original.
There are instances where purists may argue that a painting is not original. For example, is a painting produced in an art class an ‘original’, where several artists are potentially creating the same scene? Or is a painting based on a photograph an ‘original’ if the painting was taken by someone other than the painter?
What is an antique print?
An antique print is a reproduction or a copy of an original work of art. It is a quality reproduction of an original that has been transferred, using a variety of printing methods, onto a new material, including but not exclusively, paper. A genuine print is not a fake or a forgery, as it is not being passed off as an original, and there is no intent to deceive.
Types of antique paintings
While we often think about antique works of art being oil paintings, there were other mediums used.
Oil paintings – popular since the 14th century, oil was the dominant medium in European art, and is associated with religious art.
Watercolours – the preferred medium of landscape artists, watercolour uses pigment suspended in water.
Tempera – this is a technique that mixes pigment with an emulsion such as egg yolk. Used widely for panel paintings and religious work.
Pastel – pastels are sticks of pigment often favoured by portrait artists. They were also used for smaller, decorative pieces of art.
Types of antique prints
In today’s technological world, prints can be mechanical and digital, but in the antique world, prints are broadly identified by the particular production techniques used. Techniques include engraving or etching, woodcuts or lithographs, mezzotints or hand-coloured prints. All of these types of prints are common and to find out more about each, read What are antique prints?
How to tell the difference between an original painting and a print
Paint texture – the biggest telltale sign is in the surface texture of the piece. An original painting will have defined brush strokes and the surface will not be uniformly level.
Canvas – painting produced on canvas will show evidence of the texture of the canvas.
Individual brushstrokes - these will be evident in an original and might be seen or felt by touch.
Signatures - these are not necessarily a sign of an original painting and many prints can bear the original artist’s signature. It may have been included on the printing block or the piece may be signed by the engraver or printmaker.
Price – while undoubtedly many prints command high prices, generally, an original antique painting will have a higher value. Of course, value will always be influenced by market demand for the artist, and for the beginner collector, a print can be an affordable way to enjoy art.
Antique art for sale at Hemswell Antique Centres
Many of our art dealers have professional membership of BADA, the British Antique Dealers’ Association, and LAPADA, the UK’s largest association of art and antique dealers, and they have collated an incredible collection of original artwork and antique prints. Whether you favour an antique oil painting or a watercolour, or a botanical print or a railway carriage print, our dealers have something for everyone. Our centres are well worth a visit, but in the meantime, why not browse our extensive selection of antique paintings and prints online?
