Step 7 of 9

Line work

Detail of the original work

Detail of the original work

In order to still determine whether we are dealing with a fake or an original, we have to do a line-by-line contour comparison with a known original. Are there any differences not caused by the aging process, such as wear and discolouration? Then we are dealing with a new print, made by a new set of woodblocks, and thus with a reproduction.

A good example of one of these differences for this print is the actor’s ear. Compare the line work between the original and the copy.