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Iris/Giclee (ZHEE-CLAY - French for “to spray”) printmaking was born in the late 1980's when pioneers like Graham Nash and Jon Cone modified the Iris 3047 Ink jet printer for Fine Art Printmaking. The artist's image is first captured digitally and then refined by the artist and master printer through a series of proofs to ensure the color and clarity of the work. Afterwards, tiny droplets of ink are sprayed onto high quality 100% rag papers, which transfers the image and creates each print in the limited series. The combination of the special ink and paper used creates a print of enduring quality. Giclee prints are known for their brilliant color range, and the details and subtleties they capture. The continuous tone output and the ability to print on large sheets of 100% rag papers, canvas and many other substrates soon gave rise to a new form of printmaking.
Today, painters such as David Hockney, Robert Rauschenberg, and Chuck Close are using the Iris/Giclee process for their Ltd.(Limited) Edition printmaking. Photographers as well, including Annie Liebowitz and William Wegman are printing their images as Giclees. Many valuable documents and art collections, including those of the Vatican are being printed as Giclees. |
