What is a Fine Art Replica?
The term Replica indicates that something is done anew. This is not meant
here. Original works of art cannot be done anew at all. The whole process
of painting, for example, cannot be redone. Any copy will look different,
even if done by the same master.
At Art Quarter, we define a Replica to be a reproduction with the original
in mind. Unlike a poster, print material is chosen to best represent original
linen or board, dimensions are exactly like the original.
I don't know of any place offering something like this. Imagine a large painting.
You can have a poster, void of the volume and space the original offers.
Remember Art Journal 1.1?
The painting selected is named Bathsheba, located
today in Paris, Louvre, done 1654, sized 142*142cm or 56*56". It is important
to imagine the size of a work. You will never get the impression of the original
if you look at a reproduction on the screen or in a book. Imagine the room,
too, that this painting demands, the distance you will keep, how you feel
when approaching very near, what the impression might be when seen from some
distance.
Now imagine having a poster of that painting. Can this poster possibly give
you the impression of the original? Size is important. To give you another
example:
 Stephan Lackner bought the
second
triptych from Max Beckmann 1938 and put it in a room where he had to
place the wings in 45 degree angle to the middle plate, the triptych standing
on the floor, reaching to the ceiling. He sat there sometimes in the middle
meditating on life (quoted from his autobiography).
You can't have that with a poster. But you can have it with a Replica. Also,
a Replica is limited to 10 and, of course, signed by the artist. It is a
reproduction to size.
Replicas sold in museums are usually gifts disregarding size and detail.
Nofretete as ash tray. Sometimes replicas are really fascinating. Conservation
needs will replace many originals by replicas to save the former.
Early this year I was in Munich. Strolling through an old quarter, I saw
a jeweler's windows in an old house. He had two replicas of woman idols from
Turkey, no price attached. I went in.
Turned out they were not replicas but originals at $ 850. I was stunned.
I didn't have them 850 bucks, but I was surprised that you can even buy originals
6000 years old at this price. Well, I could not check it. He offered an
expertise, but was pleased I recognized them anyway. He loved them, too.
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