What does it all mean? Understanding Fine Art Terms.

Here are the common terms you will see when purchasing art, and what they mean.

The below terms are listed in order of value.

See the Understanding Kierra Fine Art Value Chart for more information on how we list the value of art.

Original
Original art is the Artist's original work. These works of art are the most expesive to buy.

Stone Lithograph
Stone Lithographs are created by the artist on a limestone Slab. The stone is chemically treated to accept water then inked with a roller. Each color is applied individually.

Serigraph
Serigraphs (also known as Silkscreens) are created on a nylon or wire mesh that has certain portions of the screen blocked. The image is divided by a color, with a screen for each shade of ink that is on the final print. Each Color is applied to the print by placing the screen down first and the color pressed through the unblocked portion of the screen.

Giclee
Giclee (pronounced "zhee-clay") is another method of reproducing art. The image is stored as a digital copy on a computer and sent to a high resolution printer.

Print
Prints are produced on a high speed digital printer. Similar to the technique used to print your newspaper.

Reproduction
This is when another paints the same image. No way to determine value.

Below are the terms that you may find in association with the art types above. A piece may have more than one of the below attributes. Each attribute adds more value to the piece except for Open Edition.

On Canvas (Unstreched)
The art is printed on Canvas. This makes the art more valuable and is desireable by many. When framing, a canvas does not require a glass cover, allowing for light to shine on it with less reflection.

On Canvas (streched)
Same as above except the canvas has been streched around a pine frame. This is required in order to frame the piece.

Hand Embelished
This means the artist took the piece (Serigraph, Giclee, Print, etc.) and hand touched up the art. This will leave some stroke marks similar to the original piece.

Embellished
A clear coating has been applied to the print. It covers the entire work and usually looks like is was applied with a brush. This is an inexpensive method of giving the print the Original brushed look. Adds very little value.

Artist Proof
The Artist proofed the piece and approved it personally.

Museum Edition
Artist proofed and approved the piece to be displayed in a museum.

Signed and Numbered
A piece of art has only a limited number of copies available. These copies are always signed by the author, and have a Number (Example: 7/295) that means the piece is number 7 out of 295 total pieces.

Open Edition
The piece of art is readily available and can be reproduced with as many as the printer desired to print. These are the least expensive work available.