Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is an Artist Proof?

What is an Artist Proof?

An artist proof traditionally refers to a print impression taken during the printing process to evaluate the current state of the artwork as the artist works on the plate. These proofs often show incomplete images and are sometimes called trial impressions or working proofs. However, in modern practice, an artist proof typically refers to an impression of the finished work that is identical to the numbered edition copies but is set aside for the artist's personal use. Artist proofs are usually marked A.P. and may be considered more valuable by collectors due to their limited availability.

Monoprint

Monoprinting is a printmaking technique where a single impression is created from a re-printable surface, such as a lithographic stone, wood block, or metal plate. Unlike traditional printmaking, where multiple copies are produced, monoprinting results in a unique image. Techniques used in monoprinting include etching, lithography, and woodcut, but the key characteristic is that each print is one-of-a-kind.

Funk Art

In the 1960s, Funk Art emerged as a reactive movement against Abstract Expressionism. It was widely known as an anti-establishment movement, with the name derived from the jazz term funky. This term carried both positive and negative connotations: in the jazz world, it described passion, quirkiness, and sensuality, but it could also refer to a foul odor. Funk Art was particularly popular in the California Bay Area. While the artists of the Funk Art era shared similar attitudes and styles, they did not see themselves as part of a formal group or movement.

Kitsch

Kitsch is a term used to describe cheap, commercial, sentimental, or vulgar art and objects commonly associated with popular culture. The word is borrowed from German, where it originally means trash. Since the 1920s, kitsch has been used to denote the opposite of high art, often implying that the work lacks sophistication or artistic merit.

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