A numbered print which is not part of the limited edition. Usually these prints are signed "Artist Proof" or "AP" with the generally accepted edition size not to exceed ten percent of the regular limited edition size. (ie: an edition of 500 would have 50 artist proofs.) With modern printing, artists proofs are not better quality prints than the regular edition, however they are desirable to many serious collectors in that there are fewer signed in this way. Many artist proofs are remarqued to make them even more valuable.
An early 'proof' of an artist's printing plate (e.g., copper or zinc plate for an etching). The artist proof is essentially the first satisfactory print that defines when an artist determines a plate 'finished' and ready for printing in a full edition.
a much smaller edition than a normal print run
an impression not part of the regular edition
a printing where the artist signs and numbers each, sometimes even adding an extra original image into the matting space called a 'remarque'
Additional "proofs," not included in the regular edition, for the artist's approval and use; may be sold; will usually be signed by the artist with the A/P designation following the signature and may be numbered.
Artists proofs are part of the initial run of the prints hand picked by the artist. Artists proofs were once prized as the best quality copies; however, today with improved printing processes, the artists proofs are the same quality as the standard edition. The artist is usually allotted about 10% of the total printing for his or her use and they are signed and numbered differently than the regular edition.
This series of limited edition prints are signed and typically numbered "Artist Proof" or "AP." Artist proofs originally were the first copies printed and were used to indicate the artist's approval of color reproduction and other mechanical aspects of the printing process. Historically prized as the best-quality reproductions, artist proofs now exist solely as part of the print-making tradition and are of the same quality as the standard limited edition prints. Also, artist proofs are usually restricted to less than ten percent of the signed and numbered limited edition; and are the property of the artist rather than the property of the publisher. Only a portion of the AP edition is available to the public; the rest of the edition is reserved for the artist, the artists family and special collectors.
These photographs are printed especially for the artist and excluded from the numbering of a limited edition, but are exactly like the editioned prints in every other respect. Usually appears as "A.P."
Frequently, an edition will include a number of prints called Artist Proofs, or AP's. These proofs are normally printed at the time of the initial printing of the edition and are outside of the numbered series. AP's frequently sell for more than prints from an edition.
A print outside of the numbered series, usually 1/10 of the edition. The Artist's Proof is sometimes referred to by its French name, epreuve d'artist ( abbreviated E.A.) either AP or E.A. are commonly used in the lower left corner of the piece.
A test set of prints, produced at the start of a run of a numbered print edition, but outside of the numbered series, used to calibrate and stabilize the colors in the edition. Also called "Aps." Artist's proofs usually sell for more than the serialized prints from an edition. See also Bon-A-Tirer.
A bronze casting created in the beginning of an edition so that the artist can see the finished piece before the second and additional pieces are cast.
Print intended for the artist's personal use. It is common practice to reserve approximately ten percent of an edition as artist's proofs, although this figure can be higher. The artist's proof is sometimes referred to by it's French épreuve d'artist (abbreviation E.A.). Artist's proofs can be distinguished by the abbreviation AP or E.A., commonly on the lower left of the work.
A signed and numbered print bearing the pencil-written initials A/P. Artist proofs are identical to their S/N counterparts, with the exception that there are fewer A/Ps, thus making them more desireable to collectors. Sometimes the artist may retain the artist proofs. As a general rule, there are 10% more A/Ps than S/Ns when a painting is reproduced as a numbered edition.
Additional proofs from a print run that are not included in the regular edition. These prints are pulled for the artist approval and for personal use. These prints are also used to extend the edition beyond the original numbered run. Artist Proof works are marked AP either with or without a number that denotes how many were run.
Also known as A/P. Prints outside the edition that are equal in quality to the edition and signed as Artist Proof or A/P. They are traditionally the property of the artist and usually limited to 10% of the edition.