A usual surrealist type woodcut block print, titled Das Lied Von Der Erde ( The Song of the Earth). Signed and stamped W Bust Nielson, 1978-81.
Artists Proof. Signed, titled & dated in pencil along side EA.
AP (artist’s proof)
Also sometimes called by its French name, epreuve d’artiste, or EA, this is effectively a test print for the artist to check the plate from which the final image is printed.
Ironically, in the early days of printmaking, these were often the best quality versions, as there was no wear and tear on the plates at this early stage. Usually the first 20 or so of a print run, numbered separately to the main limited edition run, they were often kept by the artist or sold later.
Technology has, of course, moved on, and now an entire run of litho or giclée prints will all be of the same high quality. Many artists, though, still enjoy the tradition of having a special artist’s proof edition, and the value of them lies not in their quality, but in owning a rare print. This rarity makes them much sought-after by collectors.
Artist’s proofs are clearly signalled on the reproduction.
Frame width 50cm / 19.5" height 35cm / 13.75"
