Democratic Art Form

Printmaking is the most democratic of visual art forms. Because of the multiplicity inherent in the medium, prints have played a unique role throughout history in recording and disseminating information about other cultures; in propagating new aesthetic movements and styles; in spreading propaganda and alternative political thinking across ideological and national boundaries; in disseminating religious images around the world; and in facilitating public dialogue. Long revered by artist for its accessibility and for the opportunities it offers for innovation and experimentation through multiples, printmaking can reach a wide and disparate public, which serves, for many, as their first direct exposure to the art world. From cereal boxes to the revered work of Ellsworth Kelly, printmaking is by nature more accessible and affordable. Printmaking has been embraced by its artists not only for its accessibility but also for the opportunities it offers for innovation and experimentation, often revealing new insights and new directions in an artists work.
excerpted from IPCNY.org
Directions: The idea of the printed image as being the “Democratic Art” has been a widely held idea for several centuries. The excerpt above touches on some of the reasons behind this attitude. There are certain obvious differences and implications when comparing a painting or even a drawing by Pablo Picasso with a print, an etching for example, by the same artist. One obvious difference would be, how many people can own each form?

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