
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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Empreinted De Violins Et Pinceaux
Arman
Print - 73.7 x 55.9 x 1.3 cm Print - 29 x 22 x 0.5 inch
€1,391




Retour à la Caverne - Acte I, 12 septembre 2023, 20h40, Palais Garnier, Paris, France, 2023
JR
Print - 70 x 100 cm Print - 27.6 x 39.4 inch
€1,200


Ballet, Regard surplombant la façade du Palais Garnier, Opéra de Paris, France, 2014
JR
Print - 100 x 70 cm Print - 39.4 x 27.6 inch
€1,200

Les Impromptus du matin - Sarasvati
Valerio Adami
Print - 21 x 15.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 8.3 x 6.1 x 0 inch
€700









Sans titre
Maria Helena Vieira da Silva
Print - 60 x 55 x 0.02 cm Print - 23.6 x 21.7 x 0 inch
€2,800

El ultimo viaje del buque fantasma - 6
Wifredo Lam
Print - 56 x 76 x 1 cm Print - 22 x 29.9 x 0.4 inch
€800




La Bataille de l'Argonne
René Magritte
Print - 58 x 78 x 0.2 cm Print - 22.8 x 30.7 x 0.1 inch
€1,290

Le chevalier Chretien, from the series Les Chevaux Daliniens
Salvador Dali
Print - 65 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€6,480

Don quichotte, from the series Les Chevaux Daliniens
Salvador Dali
Print - 65 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€5,860

Neptune, from the series Les Chevaux Daliniens
Salvador Dali
Print - 65 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€6,480

Autumn from Four Seasons
Salvador Dali
Print - 53.5 x 67.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 21.1 x 26.6 x 0 inch
€5,680


Le Yin et le Yang (Yin and Yan)
Salvador Dali
Print - 77 x 56 x 0.1 cm Print - 30.3 x 22 x 0 inch
€8,260

L'Ange de l'Alchimie (The Angel of Alchemy)
Salvador Dali
Print - 77 x 56 x 0.1 cm Print - 30.3 x 22 x 0 inch
€7,260








Mystery of Sleep (The Hermit) from Visions Surrealiste
Salvador Dali
Print - 73.7 x 53.3 cm Print - 29 x 21 inch
€8,810





Raw Complete Collection
Richard Orlinski
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.2 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
€5,000





Wrinkles of the City, Action in Shanghai, Jiang Quizeng, Red Flag
JR
Print - 73 x 104 cm Print - 28.7 x 40.9 inch
€1,020

Self Portrait (SF-050)
Sam Francis
Print - 104.1 x 74.9 x 0.3 cm Print - 41 x 29.5 x 0.1 inch
€1,391





La bande à l'Abbé Pierre
Robert Combas
Print - 60 x 43 x 0.2 cm Print - 23.6 x 16.9 x 0.1 inch
€1,900




Migrants, Mayra, Picnic Across the Border, General View, Tecate, Mexico, USA, 2022
JR
Print - 70 x 100 cm Print - 27.6 x 39.4 inch
€1,020






Les impromptus du matin - Colombine
Valerio Adami
Print - 21 x 15.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 8.3 x 6.1 x 0 inch
€700









A form driven from a rectangular solid (juventudes musicales portfolio)
Sol LeWitt
Print - 75 x 55 x 0.2 cm Print - 29.5 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
€8,000





Farandole - 15 lithograhies signées
Hans Hartung
Print - 40.7 x 53 cm Print - 16 x 20.9 inch
€15,000

Jeux Olympiques de Paris - Tous réunis
François Boisrond
Print - 27 x 21 x 0.2 cm Print - 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
€350


Night: William Dunas Dance 3 (Pamela)
Alex Katz
Print - 63.5 x 78.7 x 0.5 cm Print - 25 x 31 x 0.2 inch
€7,419

Night: William Dunas Dance 4 (Pamela)
Alex Katz
Print - 63.5 x 78.7 x 0.5 cm Print - 25 x 31 x 0.2 inch
€7,419

Night: William Dunas Dance 1 (Pamela)
Alex Katz
Print - 63.5 x 78.7 x 0.5 cm Print - 25 x 31 x 0.2 inch
€5,565










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Discover the selection of our experts
A lithograph is a work of art created by printing from a stone or metal plate, on which the artist draws with a grease pencil. This technique allows for the production of multiple original, numbered, and signed copies.
A lithograph often has a slight texture and ink variations, while a digital print is perfectly smooth and uniform. Hand-signing and numbering are also indicators of an authentic lithograph.
Yes, a lithograph can be valuable, especially if it is signed, numbered, and produced by a recognized artist. Its value depends on its rarity, quality of execution, and the artist's reputation.
A painting is an original work made by hand, while a lithograph is a print obtained by printing from a stone or an engraved plate, allowing several numbered copies to be produced.