Frequently Used Terms

LIMITED EDITION

Set of prints numbered/coded in succession. The total number of prints is fixed or “limited”. The artist supervises the printing process whenever possible and would also sign the print.

OPEN EDITION

A series of prints or objects in an art edition that has an unlimited number of copies. The image may be used in various forms e.g. calendars, books, cards etc.

ARTIST’S PROOF

Print intended for the artist’s personal use. It is a common practice to reserve approximately ten per cent of an edition as artist’s proofs, although this figure can be higher. The artist’s proof is sometimes referred to by its French name, epreuve d’artist (abbreviated E.A.).

PROVENANCE

Record of ownership for a work of art, ideally from the time it left the artist’s studio to its present location, thus creating an unbroken ownership history.