Art/Technology/Jim Dine ???

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Expert: - 2/20/2011


Question

8 hearts
Hi. I don't know if this falls into the catgories that you cover, but I was just trying to know exactly what I have and I can't seem to figure it out on my own...if it's a lithograph? or what? It is a Jim Dine, 1970, 8 hearts, 31" x 26"; the number 421 is written in pencil on the back of the cardboard of the frame. I opened the frame once to see what material it was on, and it is heavy, almost like canvas. You can feel/see the paint drips... Hoping that you can help me. Thank you.

Answer
this is outside my area for sure, but I should say that most reproduction techniques (those for resale and not done by the artist) are on high-quality and standardized materials, meaning good card stock and such.  By the sounds of your material it is something created by the artist (or an assistant) himself.  There is also the fact that you have something that sounds like screen printing with the paint in relief.

But not being at all involved in modern art - and considering Jim Dine is still alive and quite popular - you should start by calling your closest museum of modern art and asking the advise of a curator.  Some will gladly take a look at images, some may ask you to bring it in, some may not answer your email as they feel this sort of public service is beneath them.

Best of luck!

Tom

Tom Riddolls M.A.C.

Expertise

As a conservator my focus is on the preservation/care of art objects as opposed to their value. I may assist in the identification of materials used in art making and some of the techniques in traditional art production. Please do not ask me about non-traditional medias such as computer software used to create "modern art". My three areas of specialty are: -European painting and sculpture (1600-1800) -The artifacts and documents of United Empire Loyalist (1770-1850) -Classic Fishing tackle (1850-1960) anything outside these areas may receive vague answers that merely point you in a fruitful direction.

Experience

I am a practising conservator and curator

Education/Credentials
I have a Master's degree in Art Conservation

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