Since their invention, prints have been the focus of collecting and collectors. Printmaking has often been a means of translating large or singular works of art to a personal scale, allowing greater access to works of art. In the Early Modern period, reproductive prints formed private collections, or "paper museums." In the 19th and 20th centuries, prints were sought-after as artworks in their own right, often serving as more affordable and attainable options for collectors. Artists began to use printmaking as a way of experimenting and spent time learning and working at print workshops, such as Atelier 17, Crown Point Press, Universal Limited Art Editions, and many other print workshops that offered residencies or work space for artists. Many collectors have focused on printmaking techniques as a way of building collections, with subjects as varied as portraiture, cityscapes, abstraction, or the medium itself.
These highlights are part of For One and All: Prints from The Block’s Collection, an exhibition that explores prints and printmaking by bringing together a diverse range of artwork from the permanent collection.
