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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, Sans titre, Erró

Sans titre

Erró

Print - 78 x 57 x 1 cm Print - 30.7 x 22.4 x 0.4 inch

$925

Print, Shell, Jef Aérosol

Shell

Jef Aérosol

Print - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$763

Print, Variation I, Kumi Sugaï

Variation I

Kumi Sugaï

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

$694

Print, Sans titre, Arman

Sans titre

Arman

Print - 68 x 51.5 x 0.05 cm Print - 26.8 x 20.3 x 0 inch

$1,387

Print, Tokyo, Victor Vasarely

Tokyo

Victor Vasarely

Print - 79.5 x 75.8 x 0.1 cm Print - 31.3 x 29.8 x 0 inch

$2,751

Print, The Dance, Salvador Dali

The Dance

Salvador Dali

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

$1,387

Print, Cherokee, Tony Soulié

Cherokee

Tony Soulié

Print - 90 x 76 x 1 cm Print - 35.4 x 29.9 x 0.4 inch

$1,040

Print, Leger, Erró

Leger

Erró

Print - 58.4 x 80 cm Print - 23 x 31.5 inch

$850

Print, Tanger, Tony Soulié

Tanger

Tony Soulié

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

$809

Print, Sans titre, Jim Bird

Sans titre

Jim Bird

Print - 56 x 76 x 0.02 cm Print - 22 x 29.9 x 0 inch

$578

Print, Le transistor, Arman

Le transistor

Arman

Print - 65.5 x 48.5 x 0.3 cm Print - 25.8 x 19.1 x 0.1 inch

$809

Print, Dark Batman, Onemizer

Dark Batman

Onemizer

Print - 80 x 60 cm Print - 31.5 x 23.6 inch

$1,375

Print, Orpheus, André Masson

Orpheus

André Masson

Print - 75 x 52.5 x 0.2 cm Print - 29.5 x 20.7 x 0.1 inch

$728

Print, Untitled, Josep Guinovart

Untitled

Josep Guinovart

Print - 75 x 99.5 x 1 cm Print - 29.5 x 39.2 x 0.4 inch

$1,387

Print, YKA, Victor Vasarely

YKA

Victor Vasarely

Print - 62 x 54 cm Print - 24.4 x 21.3 inch

$1,017

Print, Bach, Arman

Bach

Arman

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

$1,387

Print, Kafka 7, Antonio Saura

Kafka 7

Antonio Saura

Print - 39 x 53.5 cm Print - 15.4 x 21.1 inch

$1,503

11/79

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Print, Farandole, Hans Hartung

Farandole

Hans Hartung

Print - 59.5 x 86.5 x 0.2 cm Print - 23.4 x 34.1 x 0.1 inch

$1,387

Print, Sans Titre, Yann Kebbi

Sans Titre

Yann Kebbi

Print - 72 x 91 x 0.1 cm Print - 28.3 x 35.8 x 0 inch

$578

Print, Albert Einstein, Aiiroh

Albert Einstein

Aiiroh

Print - 75 x 75 x 0.2 cm Print - 29.5 x 29.5 x 0.1 inch

$694

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.