Giclee is a revolutionary, new invention from late nineties.
There are two main types of giclee. Commonly pronounced "zhee-clay" - an invented name for the process of making fine art prints from a digital source.
The first type of Giclee - most common, already popular, and pushing prices down - refers to fine ink print on archival quality paper. The term is often used instead of Inkjet in art shops. The word "giclée", from the French language word "le gicleur" meaning "nozzle", or more specifically "gicler" meaning "to squirt, spurt, or spray. A perfect way of reproducing watercolours, and other art on paper media. It is perhaps the best way of copying watercolours, and other work on paper - but using it on canvas has severe limitations, as it is done on printers similar to your computer ink jet, just larger and more precise.
Such ink-jet giclee image is sometimes printed on a primed canvas, and may be covered with varnish for better looks. It is a copy on canvas - but still not an oil copy. (This is what many print shops sell reasonably cheap as "masterpiece copies on canvas").

While having a good detail, it is not the best way of copying oils - is still completely flat, not showing any brush work - and it is not an oil at all. Canvas texture will be clearly visible through the very thin layer of ink and varnish, and image will lack the soul of the original, and its authentic look.

Second type of Giclee is a newer, more significant technique - so new, that still not so commonly used.
It advanced from inkjet on paper printing, to oil based printing on canvas. Prints can be duplicated digitally directly from the artist's canvas, recreating smallest details of the original. Natural texture of canvas combined with thick layer of authentic oil paints, give these giclee copies the feel of original work. As the paint is bonded with canvas in the same way as when painted with brush, it offers the same level of durability and life-span as original oil paintings. It is also water-resistant and dust-proof, and can be kept for much longer than prints on paper and other replicas, adding to its value.

Such giclee can be finished with visible brush strokes, if needed, to create even more perfect effect that can be the closest to the original painting. This is the most fine giclee type available today - and the next best thing to the original painting available in the world. Can be used for limited edition series, sometimes in low volume runs. Such giclee can be used as investment if it represents a quality painting. It will not deteriorate easily, and its value will likely go up with time.
And - this is the Giclee we are proud to offer.

If you require a fine canvas, yet find our prices of hand painted copies still over your budget, this may be something really worthy considering. When you will hang it on the wall, it will look so close to a fine hand painted oil, that possibly no one will discover the difference! We do keep some stock of ready giclee images on hand, so simply email us and let us know, what you need. We will email you list of ready copies for quick shipping.

If you need several copies of a masterpiece, or custom made oil painting, we can quickly create for you giclee images for prices which are most competitive (for oil giclee, that is). You can use such copies for your business promotion, as commemorative gifts, and other occasion. minimum required run for Giclee is only 30 copies, so you create your own, limited edition art.

If you are an artist yourself, requiring fine copies of your art work - it can also be done quickly, and you can enquire about volume discount, to make better profit on your sales. Service for artists in need of fine copies on a budget is one of our specialties.

And, finally, if you are a decorator or gallery owner, who is in need of lower-priced, yet impressive canvasses - please contact us for details of dealer plans.

As the whole idea about fine giclee is to save money while getting a fine canvas, we recommend sending ready orders as rolled canvas to you. Shipping individually stretched paintings in larger volume will add significantly to the cost, unless shipped in cargo quantities. We will be glad to discuss your needs further.

Right now we have in stock a few giclee images - strictly limited edition of 50 copies: Silk Merchants by Edwin Lord Weeks, Lady with Ermine by da Vinci, Dancer on Stage by Degas (above), Fishermens' Boats by van Gogh, and Lilies by Rivera.

You may find more info on our FAQ page, or directly from us, by writing to: studio@masterpiece-oil-paintings.com