Antique Prints Guide
Explore antique art prints from the 17th–19th centuries — where science meets beauty through techniques like engraving, lithography, and hand-colored artistry. Each print — whether botanical, zoological, or decorative — reflects a unique blend of craftsmanship and knowledge. This guide covers origins, techniques, identification, and collecting to help you appreciate authenticity and aesthetic value.
What Are Antique Prints?
Antique prints are original impressions created with historical printing methods before modern industrial processes. They are not mere reproductions but artworks in their own right — engraved, etched, or lithographed by artists and printers working closely with scholars and patrons.
- Botanical and floral studies
- Ornithological and zoological illustrations
- Marine life and entomology
- Decorative, architectural, and scientific plates
Printing Techniques
Engraving & Etching (Intaglio)
Images are incised on copper or steel plates. Ink fills the recessed lines and transfers under high pressure, producing fine, precise strokes and rich tonal depth — common from the 17th to early 19th centuries.
Lithography
Introduced at the turn of the 19th century, lithography lets artists draw on limestone with greasy pencils. The press exploits the repulsion between grease and water, enabling fluid lines and delicate shading — pivotal for natural history masters like Redouté, Bessa, and Prêtre.
Pochoir & Hand-Coloring
Pochoir is an artisanal stencil process applying color in layered masks for vivid, saturated hues. Many antique plates were also hand-colored with watercolor and gum arabic, adding gloss and depth to feathers, petals, and shells.
How to Identify an Original Antique Print
- Plate mark: a slight embossing around intaglio prints from the press.
- Paper: laid or rag paper with visible chain/wire lines vs. smooth modern stock.
- Watermarks: papermill marks typical of 17th–19th centuries.
- Color layering: irregular, translucent washes; occasional overpainting with gum arabic.
- References & provenance: citation of the original work, plate/part numbers, and publication data.
Tip: On Prantique.com, each item includes descriptive notes and references to the source publication to support authenticity.
Why Collect Antique Prints
Antique prints preserve a fragment of cultural and scientific history. They bring timeless elegance to interiors and are inherently sustainable — created centuries ago, yet visually contemporary. Their tactile papers, hand-finished colors, and historical context make them uniquely rewarding to live with.
Explore Our Collections
| Category | Explore |
|---|---|
| Antique Botanicals | Discover botanical elegance |
| Birds & Zoology | Explore birds & zoological wonders |
| Sea Creatures | Marine life, medusae & oceanic species |
| Entomology (Insects) | Insects in scientific art |
Related Reading
- Pierre-Joseph Redouté: Floral Art in the Service of Science
- Pancrace Bessa: the Naturalist Painter of Botanical Grace
- Pierre-Antoine Prêtre: Illustrator of Natural Science and Marine Life
- Georg D. Rösel von Rosenhof: Scientific Precision and Artistic Beauty
Collecting Tips
- Handle with clean, dry hands or gloves.
- Protect from direct sunlight and high humidity.
- Use acid-free mounts and UV-protective glazing.
- Keep receipts and note publication/provenance details.
FAQ
What are antique prints?
Original artworks created with historical printing methods (intaglio, lithography) before modern industrial printing.
How can I identify an original print?
Look for plate marks, laid/rag paper and watermarks, and hand-applied color layers; confirm references to the original publication.