Lithography Print for Sale

Lithography is a printing technique which allows for the creation and reproduction of a design drawn in ink or in pencil on a stone (often limestone), using a press. The technique first appeared at the end of the 18th century in Germany and quickly became popular across Europe throughout the 19th century. Although the supports it uses and the way it is used have considerably changed, it is still a commonly used process today. Lithography uses a chemical process which is based on the immiscibility of water and oil. The image is drawn directly onto the stone slate using ink or a wax pencil or 'transferred' using transfer paper. The limestone is then moistened and covered with a greasy ink. As the ink is hydrophobic, it only adheres to the lines of the drawing and is repelled by the wet areas. Paper is then applied to the stone slate and pressed.

Over time, this technique was adapted to new supports other than stone, such as zinc and aluminium. In the 19th century in particular, lithography was used for a whole host of different purposes. In newspaper publishing, its quick production rate made it a popular choice for printing news illustrations, where being the first to publish a new story is still a top priority. Lithography is also used for more commercial purposes (stickers, printing sheet music) as well as an artistic form of expression.

We are of course most interested in looking at how this technique has been used artistically. It has two main functions. The first is as an artistic medium; artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec worked with lithography to create several copies of an original piece, whereas other artists use it as a way of copying their works. Highly fashionable at the time, we can still see numerous Art Nouveau and Art Deco inspired lithographs today.

Lithography can produce typographic and artistic creations in a short space of time. It allows artists to reproduce original drawings very easily. It also gives the artist the opportunity to explore an endless number of creative possibilities and explore an infinite array of styles.

In the 20th century, lithography was commonly used to create exhibition posters and by-products which were often created by the artists themselves. Miro and Picasso for example created a large number of posters using this technique.

Today, only artistic lithography remains. In a similar way to photography or engraving, lithographs come in multiple examples. The market value varies depending on the artist's popularity and the quality of the print, but also depending on the number of copies that exist. It is important for the buyer to know the number attributed to the lithograph and the total number of copies made, as detailed in the 'certificate of authenticity' which helps to prevent fraudulent copies.

When looking through Artsper, you will find lithographs from some of the 20th century's biggest names, including (Niki de Saint Phalle, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jean Cocteau, Victor Vasarely, Salvador Dali, Zao Wou-Ki...) but also from famous contemporary artists such as Hervé Télémaque, Yan Pein Ming and many others. All of the lithographs sold by Artsper have been carefully chosen. Artsper only selects works which come from limited editions with a maximum of 300 examples or which have been signed by the artist.

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Print, Nature, Jean Chapin

Nature

Jean Chapin

Print - 32.5 x 50.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 12.8 x 19.9 x 0 inch

CHF 146

Print, Le cirque, Sakti Burman

Le cirque

Sakti Burman

Print - 54 x 76 x 0.1 cm Print - 21.3 x 29.9 x 0 inch

CHF 391

Print, Kaotic, Josep Uclés

Kaotic

Josep Uclés

Print - 56 x 76 x 1 cm Print - 22 x 29.9 x 0.4 inch

CHF 293

Print, Layers 30, Tilt

Layers 30

Tilt

Print - 85 x 62 cm Print - 33.5 x 24.4 inch

CHF 450

Print, Puma, Adda Donato

Puma

Adda Donato

Print - 21 x 27.5 cm Print - 8.3 x 10.8 inch

CHF 269

Print, Composition, Ton Van Os

Composition

Ton Van Os

Print - 49 x 49 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.3 x 19.3 x 0 inch

CHF 342

Print, Rose, Enrica Bonanni

Rose

Enrica Bonanni

Print - 50 x 35 cm Print - 19.7 x 13.8 inch

CHF 98

Print, Fishes, Alcione Gubellini

Fishes

Alcione Gubellini

Print - 65 x 70 x 0.2 cm Print - 25.6 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

CHF 371

Print, Tree, Emilio Conciatori

Tree

Emilio Conciatori

Print - 65 x 50 x 0.2 cm Print - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

CHF 273

Print, Le retour, Henri Guibal

Le retour

Henri Guibal

Print - 44 x 30 x 0.3 cm Print - 17.3 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

CHF 342

Print, Château, Georges Laporte

Château

Georges Laporte

Print - 76 x 56 x 0.2 cm Print - 29.9 x 22 x 0.1 inch

CHF 342

Print, Untitled, Josep Baques

Untitled

Josep Baques

Print - 35 x 51 cm Print - 13.8 x 20.1 inch

CHF 322

Print, Woman, Mario Tozzi

Woman

Mario Tozzi

Print - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch

CHF 371

Print, Voiliers, Michel Bez

Voiliers

Michel Bez

Print - 54 x 76 cm Print - 21.3 x 29.9 inch

CHF 244

Print, Hounfleur, Luis Amer

Hounfleur

Luis Amer

Print - 39 x 97 x 1 cm Print - 15.4 x 38.2 x 0.4 inch

CHF 146

Print, Untitled, Heino Naujoks

Untitled

Heino Naujoks

Print - 70 x 90 x 1 cm Print - 27.6 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, S/T, Lluis Amer

S/T

Lluis Amer

Print - 83 x 56 x 0.01 cm Print - 32.7 x 22 x 0 inch

CHF 146

Print, Untitled, Soldevila

Untitled

Soldevila

Print - 56 x 76 cm Print - 22 x 29.9 inch

CHF 391

Print, El sueño, Mela Ferrer

El sueño

Mela Ferrer

Print - 50 x 65 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 25.6 x 0 inch

CHF 325

Print, Quiet Moon, Ann Craven

Quiet Moon

Ann Craven

Print - 85.09 x 68.58 cm Print - 33.5 x 27 inch

CHF 3,950

Print, Untitled, Vallejo

Untitled

Vallejo

Print - 59 x 48 cm Print - 23.2 x 18.9 inch

CHF 195

Print, Knight, Alexandre Zlotnik

Knight

Alexandre Zlotnik

Print - 67 x 50 x 0.3 cm Print - 26.4 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

CHF 244

Print, Untitled, Mario Bedini

Untitled

Mario Bedini

Print - 80.5 x 60.5 cm Print - 31.7 x 23.8 inch

CHF 391

Print, Woman, Léon Lang

Woman

Léon Lang

Print - 35 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 13.8 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

CHF 293

Print, The Scream, Nino Pedone

The Scream

Nino Pedone

Print - 47 x 66 x 0.1 cm Print - 18.5 x 26 x 0 inch

CHF 293

Print, Le canna, Olivier Marty

Le canna

Olivier Marty

Print - 47 x 32.5 cm Print - 18.5 x 12.8 inch

CHF 293

Print, Faith, Stickymonger

Faith

Stickymonger

Print - 110 x 78.5 x 1 cm Print - 43.3 x 30.9 x 0.4 inch

CHF 980

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Need help with Lithography Print ?
How are lithography prints made?

Lithography prints are made by drawing an image onto the printing surface, usually a smooth stone or metal plate, with materials such as litho crayons or specialized oily pencils. The artwork is then printed onto a material of choice. 

What is the difference between a lithograph and a print?

A lithograph is a type of print. Printing encompasses various different methods, whereas lithography refers to the specific process of using a stone or metal surface and oil-based inks to create a final printed work.

What is lithography used for?

Lithography is used to print fine artworks, as well as other printed media such as text.