Any Art lovers in here? (painting, buy, cheap, frame)

[k374]

I admit I am not very well versed in art but gaining an increasing appreciation of it ever since I visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. I was so impressed by "The Potato Eaters" that now I want to get a copy of this incredible painting for my apt. Now I want to ask you guys who are into art, is it better to get a "print" of the original or a oil painted imitation? What are the advantages and disadvantages or going either route? How authentic can prints look? Prints are way cheaper but I'm guessing the oil painted version, which is several hundred dollars, is much more "authentic"?

[moonshadow]

Well I'm into art k, and love going to galleries and enjoying the art, but I wouldn't know the answer to that question, I'm sorry.

I'm curious to know the answer to your question also.

The Van Gogh Museum is really something, isn't it?

[gentlearts]

There are prints and there are prints. A giclee (jee-clay) print is a high quality reproduction, but other types might be no better than a photo copy.
Any print of an oil painting is going to be missing the texture of the original. If you can get a print on canvas in which the brush strokes have been added, you will get a more realistic copy.
In either case, it depends upon the quality of the reproduction.

[Raven1976]

I would suggest you buy a print of it and just choose some really nice mats and frame that accentuate the piece. You need to go to a frame shop. Whatever you do though, cut out the name of the picture and artist if it has it on the bottom before you frame it.

[RH1]

Originally Posted by k374

I admit I am not very well versed in art but gaining an increasing appreciation of it ever since I visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. I was so impressed by "The Potato Eaters" that now I want to get a copy of this incredible painting for my apt. Now I want to ask you guys who are into art, is it better to get a "print" of the original or a oil painted imitation? What are the advantages and disadvantages or going either route? How authentic can prints look? Prints are way cheaper but I'm guessing the oil painted version, which is several hundred dollars, is much more "authentic"?

Hi all,

Not been in here for ages - just catching up!

I'd go for a print every time. The imitation might be authentic in the sense that it's a real painting, but it's not going to be perfect, so in a sense it's not actually the same painting. Which makes it less authentic than the print.

Plus it's going to cost you a small fortune if it's going to be any good.

[Stormcrow73]

I have to agree with RH1, get the print and not someone's knock off copy. Maybe I'm being a bit of a snob but the only reason I, as an artist, would copy a work is to study the original artist's technique so I could adapt them to my own pieces. I would NEVER sell a copy!!! I might give it away to a friend, but never sell it. I give no credibility to an "artist" who copies other artists' work for profit. If someone came to me and asked me to copy another artist's work on commission I'd tell them nicely to pi$$ off.

If you're willing to spend some money, go find a local or regional artist who's work you really appreciate and own an original. Take your time, meet the artist, learn about him or her. See lots of things the artist is doing and what direction they are taking. You'll likely find a very interesting person and you might even make a great investment. Mostly though, you'll have an original piece of art that no one else has and you've made an impact on your local art scene.

[LoveBoating]

We have an art piece Print by Lionel Dougy who passed away earlier this year. The Print is called, The Longing" and it is signed by him in the year 2000. Send me a PM if you are interested in it.