An artist's proof is an impression of a print taken in the printmaking process to see the current printing state of a plate while the plate (or stone, or woodblock) is being worked on by the artist.[1] A proof may show a clearly incomplete image, often called a working proof or trial impression, but in modern practice is usually used to describe an impression of the finished work that is identical to the numbered copies.[2] There can also be printer's proofs which are taken for the printer to see how the image is printing, or are final impressions the printer is allowed to keep.[3]
Artist's proofs are not included in the count of a limited edition, and sometimes the number of artist's proofs, which belong to the artist, can be twenty or more. By convention, the artist is not supposed to sell these at once. However, some artists use it as a method of re-issuing an edition that has sold out, marking such editions for example 'Artist's Proof no.8 of 50.'[4]
- ^ Tate. "Proof". Tate. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ Prints and Printmaking, Antony Griffiths, British Museum Press (in UK), 2nd edn, 1996 ISBN 0-7141-2608-X
- ^ Tandem Press. "Printmaking Terms". University of Wisconsin. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ Simmons, Rosemary (1988). The Complete Manual of Relief Printmaking. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. pp. 168–169. ISBN 9780394568539. OCLC 16925456.