Mirror image

Special digital printing technique makes artwork more affordable

Giclées of the work of Flemish artist Eric De Vree are on show in Berendrecht

Marc Maes

“Bringing art back into people’s homes instead of being stocked away in the vaults or warehouses of collectors” is the stated aim of ArtRevisited, a Dutch company specialised in high quality art reproductions. Helping to popularise works of art now is the “giclée”.

The word “giclée” was coined some 15 years ago by American artist Jack Duganne to describe high resolution prints of works of art. The process rapidly became popular with American artists who embraced the giclée to produce and sell copies of their works. They could also add other details or strokes of paint to the giclée, creating essentially a new unique painting and boosting its value.

An exhibition in Berendrecht, north of Antwerp, puts giclées of the work of Flemish artist Eric De Vree on display this month.

The giclée is a high quality reproduction of an original painting and is based on 64 digital shots of the work. A computer programme then compiles these into one file. The camera and software were developed by Swiss company Sinar AG in collaboration with NASA. “The crucial element in the process is the camera,” explains Wim Ellens, managing director of ArtRevisited, who introduced the giclée in the Netherlands eight years ago. “Image correction is also essential because there’s quite some difference in perception between the camera’s view and what the human eye sees, especially with oil paintings using several semitransparent layers. But the result is astonishing: With aquarelle and flat oil paintings, we can print nearly 100% identical reproductions.”

The giclée is printed using fade resistant inks with natural pigments, guaranteeing a colour-fast reproduction. “Or main concern is the critical eye of the artist, looking over our shoulder,” continues Ellens. “They are very sensitive to colour patterns and details.”

In its quest to make art more accessible, ArtRevisited produces calendars, art books and greeting cards, as well as giclées for about 70 artists, including Flemish artist Eric De Vree. They also produce TV documentaries on fine art. Each giclée is produced in a limited edition and comes with a certificate signed by the artist. “The giclée process makes art affordable,” says Ellens. “Prices vary from €100 to €500, including a nice frame.”

Another bonus is that the high quality image files are digitally archived for a wide range of applications and references.

With the exhibition of Eric De Vree’s giclées, ArtRevisited is eyeing the Flemish market: De Vree is a contemporary painter continuing a traditional art based on realism. “The careful composition and eye for detail, the realistic approach to depth and claireobscure represent a revival of the essential criteria for old works of art,” the well-known retired Antwerp curator Hans Nieuwdorp has said about De Vree’s work.

“It’s always good to have your original paintings reproduced,” comments De Vree. “The giclée colours are extremely close to the ones I used, which makes the process very interesting.”

A selection of 10 giclées is part of the annual Dubbeltalent (Double Talent) exhibition, this year combining the work of De Vree and his father, Albert De Vree, in two locations in Berendrecht – home of the De Vree family.