Gemini G.E.L. Online Catalogue Raisonné, National Gallery of Art HOME SEARCH GUIDE ESSAY GLOSSARY CREDITS

GLOSSARY OF IMPRESSIONS A-D | E-O | P-Z

AC
Artist's copy. The copy of a three-dimensional object that is retained by the artist or publisher. Similar in nature to an artist's proof, it is usually the same as the edition but is a separate or additional publication.

AP
Artist's proof. A proof that meets the right to print impression or standard used for the edition but is retained apart from the edition by the artist or publisher.

C
Cancellation proof. A proof that is printed after the edition and any states are signed. This proof is usually pulled from the most characteristic "key" element after the artist or printer has defaced it. When three-dimensional objects are made from a mold, the mold is destroyed after fabrication of the edition.

CI
Change, Inc. impression. A proof meeting the right to print impression or standard used for the edition that is intended for distribution to Change, Inc., a tax-exempt non-profit organization that supports professional artists in financial emergency.

CP
Collaboration proof. A proof meeting the right to print impression or standard used for the edition that is intended for distribution to a special group of artists or craftspeople.

CPP
Color progressive proof. A series of proofs intended to illustrate the development of the completed print by showing each color as added one by one.

CTC
Color trial copy. A three-dimensional object created during the proofing period that is a study related to the color to be used in the production of the edition.

CTP
Color trial proof. Generally, these proofs have the same printing elements as those in the edition. However, they may deviate from the edition through a sequence or color variance, or through added or deleted elements as in the trial proof. A color trial proof may have been pulled at any time during the proofing period or during the printing of the edition. They are signed if the artist feels they are a unique and desirable variation. There is often an overlap in intent between trial proof and the color trial proof.

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DC
Dedication copy. See SC/special copy.

DP
Dedication proof. See SP/special proof.

EB
Elements in black. A series of proofs intended to illustrate the image development of the finished print. Each printing element is shown singly in black, regardless of their color in the edition.

EC
Elements in color. A series of proofs intended to illustrate the image development of the finished print. Each printing element is shown singly in color.

edition
This is the body of prints or sculpture essentially identical to the right to print impression or standard used for the edition or prototype. Two numbers are used in the signing procedure: the upper number follows a consecutive sequence beginning with 1 through the total in the edition (example: 3/25); the lower number indicates the total number of pieces in the edition.

EE
Etching elements. A proof intended to illustrate the image development of the finished print. The etching element is shown singly.

ES
Screen element. A proof intended to illustrate the image development of the finished print. The screenprint element is shown singly.

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FC
Foundry copy. A proof meeting the right to print impression or standard used for the edition sculpture that is made for the foundry that produces or contributes to its production.

GEL
Gemini impression. A proof meeting the right to print impression or standard used for the edition that is made for exhibition purposes.

GUSF
Graphicstudio USF. A proof made for Graphicstudio, University of South Florida that equals the right to print impression or standard used for the edition. This print workshop co-published Robert Rauschenberg's Studies for Chinese Summerhall editions with Gemini G.E.L.

HC
Hors de commerce. An impression pulled outside the edition. Not intended for sale, it is designated for the artist's or publisher's use. An entire edition may be printed for this purpose.

NC
National Council on the Arts impression. This proof equals the right to print impression or standard used for the edition and is pulled for The National Council on the Arts, a federal agency.

NGA
National Gallery of Art impression. A proof specifically designated to become part of the Gemini G.E.L. archive at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. This type of proof equals the right to print impression or standard used for the edition.

OK JJ
OK Jasper Johns. Jasper Johns signed a number of his works as "OK JJ." These works are equivalent to the right to print impression or standard used for the edition, a first impression achieved in the proofing period that meets the aesthetic and technical approval of the artist and Gemini. It is used as a guide for the production of the edition.

OKP
OK to print. Richard Diebenkorn signed a number of his works as "okp" or "ok to print." These works are equivalent to the right to print impression or standard used for the edition, a first impression achieved in the proofing period that meets the aesthetic and technical approval of the artist and Gemini. It is used as a guide for the production of the edition.

OP
Other Proofs. This term designates proofs that do not fit within the standard definitions described in this glossary. Any specifics recorded about the impression are in the Remarks field of the catalogue entry.

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P
Prototype. The first piece in the proofing period for a three-dimensional object that meets the aesthetic and technical approval of the artist and Gemini. Similar to a right to print impression, it is used as a guide for the production of the edition.

PAP
Presentation artist's proofs. A proof meeting the right to print impression or standard used for the edition that is intended for distribution to artists who contribute to a Gemini project. The impressions may be part of a portfolio or series to which a group of artists has contributed.

PC
Publisher's copy. The copy of a three-dimensional object, similar in nature to an artist's proof, which is retained by the publisher.

PP
Progressive proof. A series of proofs intended to illustrate the image development of the completed print showing each color or element as added one by one.

PP II
Printer's proof II. A proof presented to a printer who assisted in printing the edition. Additional proofs beyond a printer's proof II may exist and are indicated by Roman numerals (PP II, PP III, PP IV, etc.).

PPII
Producer's proof II. A copy of a three-dimensional object that meets the prototype. It is generally presented to a fabricator who assisted in the proofing period and during production of the edition.

PR
Presentation proof. A proof meeting the right to print impression or standard used for the edition that is intended as a gift to a group or individual.

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RRF
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. A proof intended for distribution to the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, a non-profit, private organization established in 1990 to promote public awareness of causes and benefit groups close to the heart of its founder, Robert Rauschenberg. This type of proof equals the right to print impression or standard used for the edition.

RTP
Right to produce. A copy of a three-dimensional object that equals the prototype. It is generally presented to the fabricator with whom the artist collaborated.

RTP
Right to print impression or standard. The first impression achieved in the proofing period that meets the aesthetic and technical approval of the artist and Gemini. It is used as a guide for the production of the edition. The proof is generally presented to the printer with whom the artist collaborated.

SC
Special copy. The copy of a three-dimensional object that equals the right to print impression or standard used for the edition. Specifically created for the purpose of presentation by the artist and/or the publisher, this is sometimes called a dedication copy.

SP
Special proof. A proof specifically created for presentation purposes by the artist or publisher that equals the right to print impression or standard used for the edition. In some cases this is called a dedication proof (DP).

TC
Trial cancellation. This impression is a trial proof made in preparation for a cancellation proof. (see C/cancellation proof)

TP
Trial proof. This impression varies from the edition either in imagery, printing sequence, or fabrication.

WP
Working proof. This impression is one upon which the artist has added work by hand.

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