$5,720 / item
H 71 in W 62.88 in D 85.13 in
Antique White Maple Pencil Post Bed with Hand Carved Folk Art Bird Finials
Located in Tiverton, RI
Our Sunnybrook four poster pencil post bed featuring four hand carved Folk Art inspired bird finials is shown as a Queen in our Antiqued Maple finish.
Wood
$60,530
H 88.98 in W 70.87 in D 94.89 in
Renaissance Style Oak Tester 4 Poster Bed Armorial Tapestry Bedspread King Size
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A vintage king size oak tester or four poster bed in the Renaissance style. Hand carved with Adam & Eve carvings in the headboard, figurative sculptures in the bedposts, three carve...
Oak
$1,750
H 12.6 in W 9.45 in D 0.04 in
Henri Matisse (After) - Lithograph - Woman with Flowers in Her Hair
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Lithograph - Flowers
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
$1,763
H 9.45 in W 12.6 in D 0.04 in
Henri Matisse (After) - Lithograph - Pumpkin and Flowers
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
$1,763
H 9.45 in W 12.6 in D 0.04 in
Henri Matisse (After) - Lithograph - Flowers
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
$1,763
H 12.6 in W 9.45 in D 0.04 in
Henri Matisse (After) - Lithograph - Pumpkin and Flowers
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
$1,763
H 12.6 in W 9.45 in D 0.04 in
Henri Matisse (After) - Lithograph - Flowers
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Guillaume Apollinaire
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Original Lithograph - Henri Matisse - Apollinaire
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Linocut
Original Lithograph - Henri Matisse - Apollinaire
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Linocut
Creole Dancer
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Unavailable
H 94 in W 62 in D 84 in
Brass Four Poster Bed c.1831-1836 by R W Winfield for Prince of Ottoman Empire
By R. W. Winfield & Co.
Located in Wrexham, GB
An important museum quality brass four poster bed made by R W Winfield circa 1831 to 1836 as a special commission for the prince of the Ottoman Empire in the harem of the Topkapi Pal...
Brass, Iron
Unavailable
H 99.61 in W 64.57 in D 0.04 in
Exotic Red Bird Indienne Stylized Flowers Cotton Curtain, French, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
Large early 19th century French single curtain printed with a striking indienne design of large-scale exotic birds and flowers on meandering branches. Originally part of a set of bed...
Cotton
Sold
H 113 in W 59.5 in D 80.7 in
Wide Brass Four Poster Bed with Bird Castings, Ornamental Motifs and Crown
Located in Miami, FL
19th century wide brass four poster bed with bird castings, ornamental motifs and crown A magnificent all brass four poster bed with etched posts, ornate brass fittings, decorative ...
Brass
Sold
H 97 in W 83 in D 90 in
Italian Hand Painted Four Poster Faux Bamboo Bed by Patina with Birds, King
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is a lovely hand painted four poster bed by Patina. It is Italian. The four posts are carved faux bamboo.
Wood
Sold
H 74.02 in W 71.66 in D 59.06 in
Tester or Four Poster Double Bed, Early to Mid-17th Century, German Baroque, Oak
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This bed has survived in exceptional condition, the main elements are all original and the only replacements are some of the mouldings which is typical as the original glue dries out...
Oak
after Henri Matisse - Fern - Lithograph
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Lithograph - Woman
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Early 19th Century Bird’s-Eye Maple Poster Bed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This four-poster bed bird's-eye maple bed is in very good and sturdy condition.
Birdseye Maple
Sold
H 70.5 in W 81 in D 85.13 in
Antique Walnut Pencil Post Bed with Hand Carved Folk Art Bird Finials King Sized
Located in Tiverton, RI
Our Sunnybrook four poster pencil post bed featuring four hand carved Folk Art inspired bird finials is shown as a Queen in our Antiqued Maple finish.
Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 0.04 in
Vintage exhibition poster - "Henri Matisse - Musée Ceret"
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Vintage Exhibition Poster - Henri Matisse - Musée Ceret 1980 75 x 52 cm References : Poster for the 1980 exhibition at Musée d'Art Moderne - Céret.
Offset
Sold
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 0.04 in
Original Exhibition Poster - Henri Matisse - Christiane - Dancer
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Original Exhibition Poster - Henri Matisse - Christiane - Dancer Artist : Henri MATISSE Signed 1980 75 x 50 cm References : Original Poster for the 1980 exhibition at Galerie ...
Sold
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 0.04 in
Vintage Exhibition Poster - "Henri Matisse - Drawings - New-York"
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Vintage Exhibition Poster - Henri Matisse - Drawings - New-York after Henri MATISSE 1967 75 x 52 cm References : Poster for the 1967 exhibition at Albert LOEB & KRUGIER Gall...
Sold
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 0.04 in
Vintage Exhibition Poster - "Henri Matisse - Drawings - New-York"
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Vintage Exhibition Poster - Henri Matisse - Drawings - New-York after Henri MATISSE 1967 75 x 52 cm References : Poster for the 1967 exhibition at Albert LOEB & KRUGIER Gallery in N...
Nude With Oranges
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
after Henri Matisse - Nude With Oranges - Lithograph
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Creole Dancer
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - King's Sadness
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
The Screw
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Hair
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Sitting Blue Nude
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
After Henri Matisse - Blue Freedom
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Acrobat
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sleeping Blue Nude
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Acrobat
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - King's Sadness
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
after Henri Matisse - Resting Blue Nude
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
after Henri Matisse - Sleeping Blue Nude - Lithograph
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Acrobat
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
after Henri Matisse - Sleeping Blue Nude - Lithograph
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
after Henri Matisse - Resting Blue Nude
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Acrobat
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Acrobat
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - King's Sadness
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
after Henri Matisse - Resting Blue Nude
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Sleeping Blue Nude
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Resting Blue Nude
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
after Henri Matisse - Resting Blue Nude
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
after Henri Matisse - Sleeping Blue Nude - Lithograph
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Original Lithograph - Henri Matisse - Colette
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 15.75 in W 17.72 in D 0.04 in
Handsigned Portfolio of Lithographs by Henri Matisse - Poems
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Zulma - Lithograph
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Original Lithograph - Henri Matisse - Vegetables
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
Original Lithograph - Henri Matisse - Resting Blue Nude
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
Original Lithograph - Henri Matisse - Sleeping Blue Nude
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse - Blue Nude
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 8.67 in W 6.3 in D 0.04 in
Original Lithograph - Henri Matisse - Colette
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse, "Sitting Blue Nude"
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Original Lithograph - Henri Matisse - Colette
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Original Linocut - Henri Matisse - Teeny
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Linocut
Original Linocut - Henri Matisse - Teeny
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Linocut
after Henri Matisse, "Sitting Blue Nude"
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Original Linocut - Henri Matisse - Teeny
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Linocut
After Henri Matisse - Lithograph - King's Sadness
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Sold
H 8.67 in W 6.3 in D 0.04 in
Henri Matisse - Colette - Original Lithograph
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
after Henri Matisse, "Sitting Blue Nude"
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
Original Linocut - Henri Matisse - Teeny
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Linocut
Original lithograph from Apollinaire
By Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
When Matisse was able to, he got out of bed and showed Monique his studio and paintings.
Lithograph
$7,236
H 29.53 in W 29.93 in D 13.78 in
1970 Large Peacock lamp in silvered bronze and agate by Willy Daro
By Willy Daro
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Peacock Lamp doing the wheel in bronze with a golden and silver patina and inclusion of hard agate stone discs. Composed of a rectangular base in black stone on which rests a l...
Stone, Silver, Bronze
$1,650 / item
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$6,886 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
$6,629 / set
H 24.01 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in
Pair of Park Night Stands in Noir Oxblood Lacquer by Yaniv Chen for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Park nightstand is the epitome of exquisite craftsmanship, featuring meticulously proportioned dimensions and exceptional detailing that make it an ideal bedside companion. Our f...
Lacquer
Tiffany Studios Large Grapevine Pattern Picture Frame, ca. 1905
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Petaluma, CA
This Large and beautiful picture frame is the the work of Tiffany Studios. This is the grapevine pattern with a gilt finish- The top border of the frame monogrammed (A.S.B.). Rich Ti...
Bronze
$33,847
H 6.3 in W 15.75 in D 5.91 in
Fossilised Skull of Prehistoric Marine Reptile the Mosasaur, 70Million Years Ago
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Upper Cretaceous, about 70-65 million years ago (Maastrichtian) Morocco The skull is reconstructed in good proportions with fossil pieces found in a phosphate mine in Morocco. I att...
Bone
$2,684
H 35.44 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Carlo Nason Italian Mid-Century Murano Rainbow Glass Chandelier for Mazzega 70s
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Carlo Nason Italian Mid-Century Murano Rainbow Glass Chandelier for Mazzega, 70s Magnificent, original true vintage chandelier (no reproduction or new production) designed from Carl...
Nickel
$2,010Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 56 in D 23.5 in
"Celine" Scalloped Bench in Olive Cotton Velvet by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the Celine Bench, designed with a uniquely shaped scalloped back and solid oak hand-turned legs that complement its elegant curves. Perfectly sized as an end-of-bed bench...
Fabric, Oak
Rare Coffe Table Attributed to Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Wood and glass coffee table attributed to Osvaldo Borsani. Elegant low table with peculiar shape composed by a circular top and a unique base all realized in glass and finely decora...
Glass, Wood
Calogero Seller Of Mandarins
By Patrizia Italiano
Located in Milan, IT
The second fire-fired ceramic head, handmade with face and mandarin reliefs, can be used to hold plants, flowers and sometimes even bottles with ice. Calogero sells mandarins at the ...
Ceramic
Armadillo Sterling Silver Lighter
By Fratelli Lisi
Located in Milan, IT
Playful true-to-life silver armadillo that serves as a lighter other than being a decorative artwork in its own right. Expertly made by the Florentine silversmiths, the Lisi brothers...
Sterling Silver
$975
H 4.73 in Dm 15.75 in
Banci Firenze Gilded Iron Flower Italian Sconce or Ceiling Light, Italy 1970s
By Banci Firenze
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous flower shaped sconce or flush mount ceiling light in gilded iron. This incredibly charming and unique piece was produced by Banci Firenze in Italy during the 1970s. In fab...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Beautiful Murano Glass and Brass Table Lamp, Italy, 1950s
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful 1950s table lamp in very good original condition. A stunning example of mid-century Italian craftsmanship, this table lamp features 10 arched slabs of thick Murano Glass c...
Brass
$8,500
H 26 in W 26.75 in D 25.25 in
"TRACCIA" Bird Leg Table, Meret Oppenheim, Simone Intl, Original Production 1975
By Meret Oppenheim
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
* Please Note: This Table Offered Is From The Original SIMON International Production (1975-1980) / It is the True VINTAGE Version, not the contemporary reproduction!! Actua...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Thomas Webb & Sons Two-Color Cameo Vase
By Thomas Webb & Sons
Located in New Orleans, LA
Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with...
Glass
$3,490 / item
H 35 in W 86 in D 40 in
Modern English Sofa in Chestnut Brown in Faux Velvet Mohair with Down Cushion
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Introducing Our Modern English Sofa in beautiful rich Chestnut color. This piece is designed to be the centerpiece of your living space, combining contemporary elegance with classic ...
Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Oak, Down
The first decades of the 20th century were a period of artistic upheaval, with modern art movements including Cubism, Surrealism, Futurism and Dadaism questioning centuries of traditional views of what art should be. Using abstraction, experimental forms and interdisciplinary techniques, painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers and performance artists all pushed the boundaries of creative expression.
Major exhibitions, like the 1913 Armory Show in New York City — also known as the “International Exhibition of Modern Art,” in which works like the radically angular Nude Descending a Staircase by Marcel Duchamp caused a sensation — challenged the perspective of viewers and critics and heralded the arrival of modern art in the United States. But the movement’s revolutionary spirit took shape in the 19th century.
The Industrial Revolution, which ushered in new technology and cultural conditions across the world, transformed art from something mostly commissioned by the wealthy or the church to work that responded to personal experiences. The Impressionist style emerged in 1860s France with artists like Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas quickly painting works that captured moments of light and urban life. Around the same time in England, the Pre-Raphaelites, like Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, borrowed from late medieval and early Renaissance art to imbue their art with symbolism and modern ideas of beauty.
Emerging from this disruption of the artistic status quo, modern art went further in rejecting conventions and embracing innovation. The bold legacy of leading modern artists Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Piet Mondrian and many others continues to inform visual culture today.
Find a collection of modern paintings, sculptures, prints and other fine art on 1stDibs.
Decorating with fine art prints — whether they’re figurative prints, abstract prints or another variety — has always been a practical way of bringing a space to life as well as bringing works by an artist you love into your home.
Pursued in the 1960s and ’70s, largely by Pop artists drawn to its associations with mass production, advertising, packaging and seriality, as well as those challenging the primacy of the Abstract Expressionist brushstroke, printmaking was embraced in the 1980s by painters and conceptual artists ranging from David Salle and Elizabeth Murray to Adrian Piper and Sherrie Levine.
Printmaking is the transfer of an image from one surface to another. An artist takes a material like stone, metal, wood or wax, carves, incises, draws or otherwise marks it with an image, inks or paints it and then transfers the image to a piece of paper or other material.
Fine art prints are frequently confused with their more commercial counterparts. After all, our closest connection to the printed image is through mass-produced newspapers, magazines and books, and many people don’t realize that even though prints are editions, they start with an original image created by an artist with the intent of reproducing it in a small batch. Fine art prints are created in strictly limited editions — 20 or 30 or maybe 50 — and are always based on an image created specifically to be made into an edition.
Many people think of revered Dutch artist Rembrandt as a painter but may not know that he was a printmaker as well. His prints have been preserved in time along with the work of other celebrated printmakers such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol. These fine art prints are still highly sought after by collectors.
“It’s another tool in the artist’s toolbox, just like painting or sculpture or anything else that an artist uses in the service of mark making or expressing him- or herself,” says International Fine Print Dealers Association (IFPDA) vice president Betsy Senior, of New York’s Betsy Senior Fine Art, Inc.
Because artist’s editions tend to be more affordable and available than his or her unique works, they’re more accessible and can be a great opportunity to bring a variety of colors, textures and shapes into a space.
For tight corners, select small fine art prints as opposed to the oversized bold piece you’ll hang as a focal point in the dining area. But be careful not to choose something that is too big for your space. And feel free to lean into it if need be — not every work needs picture-hanging hooks. Leaning a larger fine art print against the wall behind a bookcase can add a stylish installation-type dynamic to your living room. (Read more about how to arrange wall art here.)
Find fine art prints for sale on 1stDibs today.