DEFINITION
The relationship of a work created in multiples, such as
a print, to other stages of the same work.
SUBCATEGORIES
9.1. State Description
9.2. State Identification
9.3. Known States
9.4. Remarks
9.5. Citations
9.5.1. Page
Examples
GENERAL DISCUSSION
STATE is applicable to works created in multiples, particularly
prints such as etchings printed from plates that are altered
repeatedly. It may also refer to any sequence of related stages
that together build toward the creation of a work of art or
architecture. Each variation in the plate or stage of production
is identified as a particular state. Since works of art produced
in multiples typically vary slightly, identifying the state
of a specific work makes it possible to distinguish it from
other quite similar works. Differences in the application
of ink to the same state of the plate are not separated states.
Printmakers may make proofs to test their work on the plate;
proofs sometimes survive and are typically named (e.g., artist's
proof).[1]
While state is primarily associated with graphic works, some
sculptures have terms associated with them that refer to their
state, such as artist's proof. This category could
also be used to refer to stages in the construction of a work
of architecture.
Numbered and named states
STATE can be expressed as a ratio of the state of the object
to the number of known states. This should be combined with
the name of the person who identified the total number of
states, and the date of the publication in which the schema
of possible states was delineated. Different authors may enumerate
a varying number of possible states of a work, and alternate
sequences of these states.
Unnumbered states also exist; these usually date from the
time before a print was in circulation or before a work was
completed. These are identified by specialized terms such
as printer's proof and bon à tiré
proof.
Sources
The identification of the state of a work may require
the expertise of a connoisseur if a published catalogue
raisonné does not exist. The enumeration of states
is often speculative, as not all states of a work may be known
or described. Much of the literature on printmaking has focused
on the identification of the various states of an artist's
graphic works. Unless an inscription exists on the object,
identifying it may be difficult; secondary sources or other
works may be consulted to identify a specific state. Prepublication
states such as working proofs often have inscriptions
that identify their purpose.
Uses
The state of a work helps to identify it and distinguish
it from other similar works. Positioning a print within the
process of the development of an idea is important for the
researcher; it places the work in the creative process, as
various states of a print or bronze show differing stages
in the development of an idea. Comparing different states
of a work can illustrate the development of its various versions.
Once a work has been positioned within the creative process,
it can be dated with more accuracy and evaluated with more
certainty.
Cataloging rules
For the subcategories in this section, basic recommendations
and discussion are provided below. For a fuller, more prescriptive
set of cataloging rules for some of the subcategories, see
Chapter 3: Physical Characteristics in Cataloging
Cultural Objects (CCO), which deals with a critical subset
of the CDWA.
RELATED CATEGORIES and ACCESS
If a work has been reissued, in whole or in part, at a later
date, this should be indicated in the EDITION category. Different
versions of a work, such as copies after a work, re-creations,
replicas, or reproductions of it, are not considered states
and should be recorded in RELATED WORKS. This includes the
following examples: 1/4-scale version, 1/2 or half-scale
version, full-scale version, small version, version A.
If the block, plate, or negative that a work was printed from
is known to exist, it should be recorded in RELATED WORKS.
If STATE is determined on the basis of comparison with another
work, the latter should be noted in RELATED WORKS.
The state of a work can often provide clues to its dating.
The creation date of the work should be specified in the subcategory
CREATION - DATE. Object component parts, lots, or collections,
such as tea sets, or nests of baskets, are not covered in
the subcategory. See OBJECT/WORK - COMPONENTS. If a work is
not in its original state or condition, this should be indicated
in the category CONDITION/EXAMINATION HISTORY.
9.1. State Description
DEFINITION
For a work that was created as multiples, an indication of the relationship of the state of the work to other stages of the multiples.
EXAMPLES
2:8
bon à tirer
printer's proof
hors commerce
final state
artist's proof
proof before letters
experimental proof
progressive proof
printer's proof
counter proof
unnumbered
1st of 3 states (Robison (1986))[2]
variant of state I (Bartsch 171-II (129)[3]
Adhémar 54.X [4]
Reed and Shapiro 52.XV-XVIH [5]
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: For prints and as appropriate for
other works produced in multiples, record an indication of the relationship of the state of the work to other stages of the multiples,
if known. Any stage in the development of a printing plate
at which impressions are taken is a State; a new State occurs
when the matrix (plate) is altered (e.g., lines are added
or erased). A work's state may be expressed as a ratio: the
state to which this work belongs out of the number of known
states (e.g., for 2nd of 5 states, 2:5). It may also be identified
by a descriptive phrase, such as final state or print
before letters.
Format and syntax
List the ratio of the state of the
work to the total number of known states, using a colon (e.g., for 3rd of
5 states, 3:5). Alternatively, express the state in natural word order
(e.g., 3rd of
5 states). If the number of states is unknown, list the
numeric indication of the state (e.g., 3rd state).
For unnumbered states, record the appropriate term. Use lower
case. Avoid abbreviations, except for abbreviations for numbers
(e.g., use 2nd rather than second). Use ordinal
numerals (e.g., 4th) and Arabic cardinal numbers (e.g.,
5), as appropriate. Record other terminology in the
language of the catalog record. If no English term exists
and non-English terms must be used, include the appropriate
diacritical marks (e.g., bon à tirer).
If scholars disagree or are uncertain about the state, clearly
indicate this in the display (e.g., possibly 2nd of 4 states).
If you do not know the total number of states, include the
known state and omit the total number of states (e.g., 2nd
state). When more than one study of an artist's oeuvre
exists, or there is disagreement about the number of states
of a particular work in existence, the identification of the
state should also include the name of the author of the catalogue
raisonné used to identify the state, and the date
it was published; Adhémar 54.X and Reed and
Shapiro 52.XV-XVIH actually refer to the same state.
Types of states
Use the following terminology for various types of states
and proofs. For additional types of proofs, see the sources
of terminology below.
Numerical states: For most indications of STATE,
record numerical references as described above (e.g., for 1st
of 3 states, 1:3).
Artist's proof: Use artist's proof (or epreuve
d'artiste) for impressions printed especially for the
artist and excluded from the numbering of an edition. On
the print, you may find it abbreviated as AP or
EA, and numbered with an edition number according to
the number of artist's proofs pulled (e.g., AP 2/12).
Bon à tirer: Use bon à tirer
(or right to print) for the proof approved by the
artist to establish the standard for all of the other prints
in the edition.
Hors-commerce: Use hors-commerce, meaning
"outside the commercial edition," for proofs
that were excluded from the numbering of an edition, were
not originally intended for sale, are not artist's proofs,
printer's proofs, or bon à tirer. You may find it
abbreviated HC on the print.
Printer's proof: Use printer's proof for
impressions printed as tests for the printer and excluded
from the numbering of an edition. You may find it abbreviated
PP on the print.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free text: This is not a controlled field.
Maintain consistent capitalization, punctuation, and syntax
where possible. For the named proofs, use terms derived from
the AAT (Objects facet, Visual Works hierarchy, proofs (prints
by function)) or from the National Gallery of Art glossary.
Index the state in IDENTIFICATION and KNOWN STATES, discussed
below.
9.2. State Identification
DEFINITION
The identifying number or name assigned to the state of a
work that exists in more than one form.
EXAMPLES
2
10
artist's proof
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the number of the state being
cataloged. If the state is named, record the name.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format and authority or controlled list:
For numbered states, use whole numbers. For the named
proofs, use a controlled list of terminology or the GENERIC
CONCEPT AUTHORITY. Terms may be derived from the AAT (Objects
facet, Visual Works hierarchy, proofs (prints by function))
or from the National Gallery of Art glossary.
9.3. Known States
DEFINITION
For numbered states, the total number of identified states.
EXAMPLES
5
11
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the total number of known
states related to the item being cataloged. For named states,
this subcategory is not applicable.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: For numbered states, use
whole numbers. For named states, this subcategory is not applicable.
9.4. Remarks
DEFINITION
Additional notes or comments pertinent to information in
this category..
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a note regarding the state
of the work. Use consistent syntax and format. For rules regarding
writing notes, see DESCRIPTIVE NOTE.
FORMAT/TERMINOLOGY
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Use consistent syntax and format.
9.5. Citations
DEFINITION
A reference to a bibliographic source, unpublished document,
or individual opinion that provides the basis for the information
recorded in this category.
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the source used for the information
about state. For a full set of rules for CITATIONS, see RELATED
TEXTUAL REFERENCES - CITATIONS.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Authority: Ideally, this information is controlled
by citations in the citations authority; see RELATED TEXTUAL
REFERENCES.
9.5.1. Page
DEFINITION
Page number, volume, date accessed for Web sites, and any
other information indicating where in the source the information
was found.
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: For a full set of rules for PAGE,
see RELATED TEXTUAL REFERENCES - CITATIONS - PAGE.
FORMAT/TERMINOLOGY
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Use consistent syntax and format.
EXAMPLES
[most typical type of state, identification and total
number of states are known]
State Description: 3:5
State Identification: 3
Known States: 5
[named state]
State Description: artist's proof
State Identification: artist's proof
Known States: N/A
[uncertain state]
State Description: possibly 3rd of 4 states
State Identification: 3
Known States: 4
[unknown number of known states]
State Description: 2nd state
State Identification: 2
Known States: unknown
[unknown number of total states]
State Description: final state
State Identification: final
Known States: unknown
[citing the source]
State Description: 1st of 3 states (Robison
(1986))
State Identification: 1
Known States: 3
Citations: Andrew Robison. Early Architectural
Fantasies: Catalogue Raisonné of the Piranesi Etchings.
Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1986.
NOTE: The outline numbers are subject to change; they are
intended only to organize this document.
Revised 30 November 2015
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