Featuring large in memories of my 1970s childhood kitchen is a framed print of Constable's ‘The Cornfield’. It hung for years, fading imperceptibly to a blueish version of its original pastoral self. A great painting, a celebrated painting, an image which, for me has added nostalgic value but this was, all the same just a mass-produced photographic print. What inspires us to decorate our homes with copies of works of art? Is it the comforting sense of familiarity? Is it the cost? Is it a fear of ‘getting it wrong’ by venturing beyond universally recognised artworks? Or is it simply because we want to complete our interior design with a few complementary frames? I am always astonished, and a little dismayed, when I come across second-hand framed prints of well-known masterpieces. These faded replicas fill the walls of most Antiques and Collectables centres, and it’s a puzzle why anyone would consider buying a worthless piece of paper. Cynically, I hope it’s for a nice frame! There are, of course important and extraordinary exceptions and some printed art is far more than just a ‘Print’.

Featuring large in memories of my 1970s childhood kitchen is a framed print of Constable's ‘The Cornfield’. It hung for years, fading imperceptibly to a blueish version of its original pastoral self. A great painting, a celebrated painting, an image which, for me has added nostalgic value but this was, all the same just a mass-produced photographic print. What inspires us to decorate our homes with copies of works of art? Is it the comforting sense of familiarity? Is it the cost? Is it a fear of ‘getting it wrong’ by venturing beyond universally recognised artworks? Or is it simply because we want to complete our interior design with a few complementary frames? I am always astonished, and a little dismayed, when I come across second-hand framed prints of well-known masterpieces. These faded replicas fill the walls of most Antiques and Collectables centres, and it’s a puzzle why anyone would consider buying a worthless piece of paper. Cynically, I hope it’s for a nice frame! There are, of course important and extraordinary exceptions and some printed art is far more than just a ‘Print’.

A less well-known type of print, and one dear to my heart, is ‘woodblock’ especially as practised by Japanese artists in the 19th century. The technique of printing both images and text was developed over centuries in China and Japan culminating in some of the most glorious, coloured woodblock prints by artists such as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige.

‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ by Hokusai has got to be one of the most popular, reproduced prints ever. Authenticity again is paramount and can be tricky: an original woodblock print produced by applying multiple layers of colour from several carved woodblocks on to paper made, usually from Mulberry may have an artist’s name, a publisher’s seal, an edition number.

Japanese woodblock prints were adored by a few late 19th century artists: Van Gogh did his own version of Hiroshige’s ‘Bridge in the Rain’ and ‘Flowering Plum Orchard’ even adding Japanese-style lettering around the borders. Other artists, including Monet and James McNeill Whistler were also profoundly inspired by Ukiyo-e prints with their magical conveying of natural transience and bold use of colour.

Japanese woodblock prints were adored by a few late 19th century artists: Van Gogh did his own version of Hiroshige’s ‘Bridge in the Rain’ and ‘Flowering Plum Orchard’ even adding Japanese-style lettering around the borders. Other artists, including Monet and James McNeill Whistler were also profoundly inspired by Ukiyo-e prints with their magical conveying of natural transience and bold use of colour.