What's the difference between a unique work and a limited edition?

This easy guide will help you differentiate between the common classifications for artworks. 

Unique

If a work is marked as unique, then it's just that. A one-of-a-kind piece.

Limited Edition 

Limited edition means that multiple "editions" or copies of the same artwork exist. When the edition is limited, this means that the edition run has ended and the number of works produced is known and included in the listing.

Tip from Artsy Specialists: there may also be a number of Artist's Proofs (APs) available that are not included in number of the traditional run. For more information about this and what else to look for when buying limited editions, check out our useful guide here.

Open Edition

Similar to limited edition but here the edition run is ongoing. New works are still being produced, which may be numbered. This includes made-to-order works.

Unknown Edition

With unknown editions, the edition run may have ended but it is unclear how many works were produced.

Find out where this information is listed on Artsy with our Artwork Metadata Guide.