Copied art can be some of the most fascinating art. Take Van Gogh for example; he copied numerous paintings of Jean-Francois Millet, and yet he is a very respectable artist. Yes, Van Gogh was declared “insane”, but he was brilliant nonetheless. The second picture above is Millet’s La Meridienne. The first picture is Van Gogh’s La Sieste.
Artists “copy” work of other artists for many reasons; to correct flaws, to alter the meaning and message, to glorify another’s work, etc. Walter Benjamin names other reasons “why man-made artifacts could be imitated by men”(p.27) Replication were made to practice art skills, or for other means of gain. Van Gogh replicated Millet because he was attracted to the subjects of Millet’s paintings.
The idea of copying art bothers some, especially when the copier refuses to credit the originator. But there will be and always is a uniqueness of that replica; even if it’s only the date of the print that is different. I personally place an equal value on originality and replication. Some of the best art work is a replica of art of a lesser value.
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