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LennGoldmann.com
A Giclèe print (pronounced zhee-CLAY)? The word is of French language origin, but was coined by an American digital printmaker, Jack Duganne, in 1991.
The story is that he wanted a word to represent the newly emerging digital printmaking technique. Something that would work in the fine art world. Starting with the French word jet d’encre (inkjet), he evolved his thinking down this path: nozzle – gicleur, spray ink – gicler, verb to noun – giclée. The literal meaning apparently is “that which is sprayed.”
This word is variously credited by others with meaning, in French, “to spray,” “squirting liquid,” “spraying ink,” even “spraying dots” according to one source. Another source said none of these were true and the word had something to do with being a “feminine past participle” or some such. Regardless, it has become the accepted term for inkjet printing. But, we’re not talking ordinary inkjet printing as you would do on your $79 desktop printer. Or at a “commercial” shop that does typical work such as displays, signs, posters and the like.
What we’re talking about here is very high quality printing using archival inks on archival paper or canvas. The various combinations of materials can result in image and material stability of 30 to perhaps as long as 200 years, or so some tests claim. The industry significantly relies on the testing standards of Wilhelm Imaging Research, an independent lab. You can learn more about this at www.wilhelm-research.com by clicking the link above.
Typically, original works of art done in traditional mediums are "imaged," either photographically (digital camera or scanned film) or by direct scanning, and then printed in limited editions or as open editions. The standards to be applied here seem to still be emerging, but generally speaking, to qualify as a “certified“ Giclée print, some suggest it must be a signed and numbered edition and that a certificate stating the printing methods and materials used should be provided to the print buyer.
Digital technology as a creative tool is so capable, some works of art are born in the digital world. Giclée prints that are digital from origin to completion are becoming more common.
Giclèe prints are accepted as a legitimate fine art medium. Highly placed artists and galleries as well as the world’s museums have widely embraced this printing technique. The technology is so good that the viewing public would be hard pressed to know the difference between an original work and it’s Giclée reproduction.
Printmaking in its various forms has a long and honorable history. Today’s digital approach is an addition to this fine tradition. One that is becoming more accepted as time passes; one that is likely to live on for a very long time.
Description thanks to Charlie Osborn Design
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