Verso / recto

Terms used for the front and back of a single sheet of paper, or the right-hand and left-hand page of an open book

The front or face of a single sheet of paper, or the right-hand page of an open book is called the recto. The back or underside of a single sheet of paper, or the left-hand page of an open book is known as the verso.

The works illustrated here each have paintings on both the recto and verso.

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Left Right

Watermark

An image or mark in a sheet of paper (usually the papermaker's trademark) visible when viewed by transmitted light
Decalcomania

Decalcomania is a blotting process whereby paint is squeezed between two surfaces to create a mirror image
Paper

Paper is made from matted plant fibres made into sheet form either by hand (traditional) or machine (modern) and used by artists as a surface for drawing, watercolour or printmaking
Canvas

Canvas is a strong, woven cloth traditionally used by artists as a support (surface on which to paint)

Selected artworks from the collection

Left Right

[title not known] Verso: Sketch
Unknown artist, Britain

View by appointment
Clearing with Ferns. Verso: Trunks of Birch Trees
Joan González
c.1901–2
Caprice. Verso: Masked Woman with a White Mouse
Aubrey Beardsley
c.1894
Studland Beach. Verso: Group of Male Nudes by Duncan Grant
Vanessa Bell
c.1912

On display at Tate Britain Part of Historic and Modern British Art
Recto: Messiah. Verso: Messiah
David Bomberg, Richard Michelmore
1953

Verso / recto

Related terms and concepts

Watermark

Decalcomania

Paper

Canvas

Selected artworks from the collection

[title not known] Verso: Sketch

Clearing with Ferns. Verso: Trunks of Birch Trees

Caprice. Verso: Masked Woman with a White Mouse

Studland Beach. Verso: Group of Male Nudes by Duncan Grant

Recto: Messiah. Verso: Messiah

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