Glossary of Terms
Deciphering an exhibition catalogue or room sheet can be tricky if you don’t know the terms. Below are some of the common terms used to describe artwork type, medium and materials.
Original
An artwork that is unique, one-off and produced by the hand of the original, authentic artist, as opposed to a reproduction or imitation. Original artworks should be accompanied with a certificate of authenticity to verify the work is genuine and authentic.
Reproduction
A copy of another work of art. Reproductions generally lack creative process and are commonly produced mechanically and in large quantities for commercial purposes.
Medium
Refers to both the type of artform as well as the materials an artwork is made with. For example, an artist's chosen medium (artform) may be painting, and their preferred medium (material) may be acrylic paint.
Canvas
Closely woven cloth or fabric used as a painting surface. Canvas can be made from cotton fibres and from linen fibres.
Cotton is affordable and stretches easily and tighter. It is classified according to its weight and surface texture.
Linen is strong and durable but more expensive. It is made from the fibres of the flax plant and also comes in a variety of textures and weights.
Stretched/Unstretched
An unstretched canvas refers to a work on canvas which is loose, can be rolled up and has no timber frame supporting it. Stretching an artwork involves creating a timber frame at the right size for the artwork to be stretched over it and fixed to the back. This frame is invisible. Some artworks can be displayed stretched, without framing.
Framed
A framed artwork is when there is a visible frame around the edge of the artwork. Some works are sold framed, others stretched, and others unstretched.
Acrylic
Water-based, fast drying paint, consisting of pigment suspended in an acrylic emulsion. Given its versatility, easy to work with and quick-drying characteristics, acrylic paint is a popular medium among painters.
Oil
Oil-based, slow-drying paint consisting of pigment suspended in most commonly, linseed oil. The viscosity of oil paints can be manipulated by adding a solvent such as alcohol or turpentine. Oil paint is also versatile, flexible and rich, and dries slowly so it can be painted over to create a variety of effects and textures.
Watercolour
A technique of blending a paint consisting of pigment in a water-soluble binder. Watercolours can be transparent or opaque and are usually applied on watercolour paper that is acid-free, textured and designed to endure.
Digital print
A print that incorporates digital technology into the creation of an image or its printing. A digital print is only considered an original print if it was intended as a unique artwork, it is not a copy or reproduction of an artwork in a different medium.
Gouache
A method of painting with opaque watercolours. Gouache contains the addition of white pigment to increase its opaqueness and reduce translucency of traditional watercolours.
A high-quality impression of an original artwork, transferred onto a new medium, usually by the artist.
Edition
An edition is a copy or replica of a work of art made from a master. It commonly refers to a series of identical impressions or prints made from the same printing surface or plate. Editions can also be applied to series of other media such as sculpture, photography and video. Limited and open editions exist.
Limited Edition
A fixed number of prints are produced. Generally limited editions are scarce, of higher value and signed and numbered by the artist.
Didactic
A didactic refers to a small plaque or sign hung next to an artwork with information about the work and the artist. You will notice these in large galleries and museums, not all smaller galleries provide a didactic, as this information is often found on a Room Sheet.
Room Sheet
A room sheet provides details of all the artworks hung in an exhibition – with title, artist, size, medium and price.
Certificate of Authenticity
The Certificate of Authenticity is provided when you purchase an artwork to prove that the work is original and is signed by the artist.