Rezerviste

Rezerviste is a type of printing technique that originated in Lithuania. It involves inserting small prints of images or text into a paper or fabric substrate, typically using a combination of metal tools and acid-based inks.

The process of creating reserviste prints is labor-intensive and requires great skill. Artists and craftsmen produce the small images or text on paper or metal sheets, which are then used to create the reserviste prints. The design is typically applied to a fabric or paper substrate using a stencil and acid-based inks, creating a relief image with raised designs.

Rezerviste is also known as Accordion Printing and is often associated with folk art traditions in Lithuania and other Eastern European countries. The custom of reserviste printing may date back to the 18th or 19th century, and it is believed that it was initially used to print illuminated manuscripts, books, and other written materials.

Today, reserviste printing is a rare and highly prized form of folk art. Skilled artisans continue to produce reserviste prints using traditional techniques, often for special occasions or events. It requires great dedication and patience, as the technique is time-consuming and requires precision. While it has largely fallen out of mainstream use, reserviste has gained popularity among collectors and enthusiasts due to its historical significance and unique craftsmanship.

Art historians and collectors describe reserviste as a representative cultural-historical phenomenon that transcends its traditional artistic purposes and acquired a defining feature of artistic research during the occidental art view period.