Art Encyclopedia - State

Art information > Art Encyclopedia > S > State

State
Graphics are rarely produced without intermediate stages being printed so that the artist can judge how the work is progressing. Such prints are called states, the first one being the first state, the second, the second state and so on until the final state. Such states are so nominated on professional graphics.

Differences in states may be so subtle that experts can disagree as to whether they are in fact intentional or are simply the result of chance or wearing of the plate. Some of Rembrandt's etchings, however, exist in radically different states involving a major rethinking of the design.