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Original Artist's Multiples vs Reproductions
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 24 hours ago
By what criteria are 'serial works' classified as 'author's originals'?
What is an Original Artist's Multiple?
An original artist's multiple is a graphic work — etching, lithograph, woodcut, screenprint, and so forth — conceived by the artist to be produced in multiple impressions by means of a matrix either directly incised by the artist or created from a design made specifically for that purpose.
These are works of art executed according to a precise artistic project directed toward the printing of an edition — that is, a predetermined and limited number of impressions — whose production the artist oversees in every phase, working in close collaboration with the printer and the publisher. The publisher is the sole party responsible for the production of an edition.
The Approval Process: The B.A.T.
A bon à tirer (B.A.T.) — literally "good to pull" in French — refers to the proof judged by the artist to be the most successful, or most consistent with their intentions, and which serves as the precise reference and guide for the printer, who must match the entire edition to it.
Signature, Numbering and Quality Control
The artist oversees the production of the multiple — according to the technique they have selected — signing each impression in pencil and numbering it according to the format impression number / total edition size (for example, 1/150 indicates the first numbered impression from an edition of 150). This process allows the artist to review the entire edition and, where necessary, to exclude any impressions that do not fully meet their standards.
Artist's Proofs (A.P.) and/or Hors Commerce impressions (H.C.) should always be declared by the publisher so that the complete total of the edition may be established. The number of A.P.s should not exceed 10% of the final edition.
Striking the Plate
Once printing is complete, the artist proceeds to strike the original plate, rendering it unusable. Alternatively—in accordance with the 1991 Venice Declaration—the artist marks, perforates, or cuts a clearly visible portion of its surface. This provides unequivocal evidence that the edition is complete and prevents the production of any subsequent restrikes.
"Plate-Signed" Works and Posthumous Editions
It is fairly common to encounter etchings or lithographs described as bearing a "plate signature." This indicates that the artist signed the plate or stone directly, so that the signature was transferred — along with the image — onto each impression in the series.
In such cases, it is quite usual for the artist not to have signed each impression by hand, even if they are individually numbered. This does not necessarily diminish the value of such works; to assess their significance, a number of additional factors must be taken into consideration, including:
Whether this is an original edition produced during the artist's lifetime.
Whether this is a posthumous edition based on a pre-existing work (d'après / after).
Conversely, a reproduction — even one authorised by the artist — that has not been signed by the artist, or was not conceived as an original multiple, cannot be regarded as such. Similarly, posters, broadsheets, postcards, and leaflets — even those bearing the artist's autograph — do not constitute original artist's multiples.
It is furthermore essential that prints and art multiples be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist or the publisher, attesting to the genuine authorship of the work and stating the total number of impressions produced.
International Standards and Verification: The Venice Declaration of 1991
The classification criteria outlined above reflect decades of professional consensus. The most authoritative source is the Venice Declaration of 1991, adopted by international print organizations and endorsed by museums, dealers, and authentication experts worldwide.
This declaration established uniform standards for what constitutes an "original" print across all countries and artistic traditions. Key provisions include:
Artist oversight: The artist must supervise production or explicitly authorize a representative to do so
Limited editions: Edition numbers must be predetermined and documented
Matrix treatment: The original plate, stone, block, or screen must be destroyed, marked, or preserved according to specific protocols
Authentication: A signed certificate must accompany the work, stating the artist's name, title, edition number, and date
By adhering to the Venice Declaration, galleries and auction houses create a transparent market where collectors can purchase with confidence. Works that do not meet these standards may still be valuable — particularly if they are historically significant — but they should be clearly labeled as reproductions or posters, not original multiples.
To apply these international standards in practice, collectors should examine these key criteria before purchasing a print:
Physical Examination:
Hand-signed in pencil by the artist (if applicable to the work's classification)
Numbered according to edition size (e.g., 15/150)
Print quality consistent throughout, with no visible damage beyond reasonable age
Signature, numbering, and plate marks legible and well-executed
Documentation:
Certificate of authenticity present and signed by artist or publisher
Certificate includes edition size, publication date, and printing technique
Artist's name, title, and edition information consistent across all documents
Provenance records available showing previous ownership history
Market Context:
Publisher is recognized and reputable
Work is consistent with the artist's known production period
Price is comparable to similar works by the artist
No red flags suggesting misrepresentation or forgery
If any of these criteria cannot be verified, seek expert authentication before purchasing. Professional art appraisers and museum curators specializing in prints can provide definitive assessments when documentation is unclear or ambiguous.
For any enquiries, please contact us at info@stefaniniarte.it
