Emblemata

There are no records of the exact process used in this project besides the vocabulary of “monotype”, but from what can be learned by looking at various sets in the edition, the background color washes seemed to have been hand-applied and therefore unique in application. In addition, for the “images” (the curved bands), it appears that the plates were inked like a normal edition and then, at designated spots, additional oil-based ink was hand-brushed into the bands. Each plate was then printed onto paper. Although the starting locations of these additions (to the plate) seem fairly consistent, the direction, thickness and length of each added stroke has variation, thus adding to the overall differences between each set in the edition. The pieces are most likely monoprints AND monotypes (which, when done together are commonly considered monotypes), yet they were done in a consistent manner so as to create an edition of variants. As always, LeWitt followed no rules and explored variation in many ways.