A Joint Article by J. A. and J. J. (1544 words, 8 min. read)
“Good Artists Copy; Great Artists Steal”
The famous quote by Pablo Picasso, “Good artists copy; great artists steal”, has long been debated in the art world. What did he mean by it? Was he encouraging plagiarism, or was he pointing to something deeper—perhaps the idea that true artists absorb influences and transform them into something new?
While inspiration has always been part of artistic creation, there is a fine line between being influenced by other artists and outright copying. In today’s art scene, many artists imitate rather than innovate, often due to lack of creativity, insecurity, or a desire for quick success.
When is copying art acceptable?
One of the mainstays of teaching art has been copying other artworks whilst learning technique and at times understanding perspectives.
In a sense, every artist’s journey begins with an act of reproducing an artwork or several works, and many times that leads to a road of exploration and discovery towards one’s own unique path.
Is copying the real issue?
It is not the “Copying” per se that is the problem. It is rather the intent:
- Copying to learn is looked upon positively. This is how one learns rules and principles. Copying to be inspired is a learning journey. We are all familiar with the replicas of the Mona Lisa or the reproductions of Greek Sculptures with minor modifications for the purpose of study or for commercial ends.
- Copying to Steal is not. Reproducing an exact replica of an original and claiming it to be your own is the ultimate forgery. Famous examples of such ill practices are the famous forgeries by Han van Meegeren who forged famous works by Vermeer. He spent years learning how to forge, learning from the mistakes of other forgers. He even studied how to fake the age of the paint to fool experts. In fact, his forgery of Vermeer’s art saved those works from the Nazis during World War II. Another famous example was that of Wolfgang Beltracchi who mimicked the styles of famous artists only to sell them as lost originals.
Enters the borderline cases such as some works of Andy Warhol who based a lot of his work on real products and designs like Campbell Soup, or photographs of Marilyn Monroe. Even that did not spare him being sued at times for infringing on copyrights. Similarly, a famous incident was that of Jeff Koon and photographer Frank Davidovici who accused the former of plagiarizing his work for the 1985 campaign for French brand Naf Naf and won damages exceeding 150,000 euros from both Koons and Centre Pompidou.
Copying Out of Jealousy
One of the most common reasons for copying in art is jealousy. When an artist sees another succeed, it can trigger feelings of envy and competition, leading them to replicate what worked for someone else.
For example, if an artist gains recognition for painting flowers, others may suddenly start painting flowers; not because they love them, but because they believe it’s a formula for success. This kind of copying lacks authenticity, as the artist is not expressing their own vision but rather chasing someone else’s achievements.
Copying for Fame and Recognition
In the age of social media, where trends dictate visibility, many artists follow the crowd in hopes of gaining fame. They see what is being liked and shared, then mimic the process, colors, or subjects to fit into the current trend.
However, art born from imitation rarely stands the test of time. The greatest artists in history—Van Gogh, Monet, Basquiat, Kahlo—were not trend-followers. They were risk-takers who pushed artistic boundaries. Those who copy for fame often remain in the shadows of originality, unable to develop their own voice.
Copying Without Creativity: Technical Skill vs. Artistic Vision
There are artists with great technical skill but no creative spark. They can perfectly replicate a painting, a technique, or a composition, but they lack originality.
Art is not just about skill, it is rather about soul, vision, and personal expression. An artist who only copies, even with technical mastery, remains a technician rather than a creator. Without innovation, their work feels empty, like a beautifully painted but meaningless reproduction.
Artists Who Copy Themselves: The Fear of Change
Some artists do not copy others, but they copy themselves. After achieving success with one style, one subject, or one trend, they become trapped in their own comfort zone.
Why does this happen?
• Fear of financial instability: If a certain style sells well, they hesitate to take risks.
Claude Monet painted multiple versions of the same subject, like the Haystacks Series. Other examples include Mondrian’s Compostions that have slight variations on his geometric abstractions. In the Middle East we see this with artists like Hasan Jouni, Raouf Rifai, Silwan Ibrahim, Jamil Molaeb and Hussein Madi who reproduced their own works with slight variations making this an accepted form of creativity. Such practices do not infringe upon copyright laws or on artistic ownership by other artists and as such are acceptable practices.
• Fear of failure: Artists sometimes worry that if they experiment with something new, they will lose their audience. This is a real psychological dilemma encountered by beginners who strike a hit with one style and get stuck to it for the rest of their career.
• Lack of confidence: More than often, artists doubt their ability to create something different, something new, an art which perhaps cannot live up to a previous success. However, in many instances, what an artist might deem as a success is a perception in their own mind that it is when in fact it is not perceived as such by others. Herein lies the vicious circle of the “comfort zone” which prohibits the artist from stepping outside of it.
While repetition can define an artistic signature, stagnation leads to decline. The greatest artists are those who continue to evolve, reinventing their work rather than repeating their past successes.
The Psychology of Copying: Insecurity and Lack of Confidence
At the root of copying, whether of others or oneself, lies a deeper issue: insecurity. Artists who constantly imitate often lack confidence in their own creativity. They fear that their unique ideas are not good enough, so they look to others for validation.
Copying is also linked to imposter syndrome. The feeling that one is not truly talented, leading them to rely on existing formulas. This insecurity prevents growth, as the artist becomes dependent on external sources instead of exploring their inner world, which is much more difficult and self-defeating to accomplish .
“I would like to talk about an issue that many artists face, which is when an artist blatantly copies the background of another artist’s painting and adds it to their own work in an obvious and disrespectful manner. What’s even worse is when they feature this suspicious artwork on the invitation card for their exhibition, there is no regard for intellectual property as the artist who has spent their life searching and working to develop a unique style fins someone else taking it without permission“. Joseph El Arid
Another new trend is to use well known and universally used computer programs as well as artificial intelligence to create images which can then be easily reproduced on canvas. While the brush technique of artists remains visible and well appreciated, the process itself lacks intuitive creativity which in of itself captures the essence of an artwork. It is said that in art part of the soul of the artist resides in the painting itself, and that is truly lacking in those newer modalities of presenting art.
The Path to True Creativity
While all artists are influenced by those who came before them, true creativity comes from transformation, not duplication. To break free from the cycle of copying, an artist must:
• Embrace experimentation: Try new subjects, techniques, and styles.
• Accept failure: Growth comes from mistakes and risks.
• Develop a personal vision: Art should be a reflection of one’s own experiences, emotions, and thoughts.
• Find inspiration in life, not just in other artists: Nature, literature, music, and personal journeys are powerful sources of originality.
Be a Creator, Not a Copier
Copying may bring temporary recognition, but it never leads to true artistic fulfillment. Whether copying others out of jealousy, copying for fame, or repeating one’s own past success, it is a limiting and uninspired path.
Great artists do not follow, they lead. They take risks, evolve, and redefine creativity. The challenge for every artist is to find their own voice, not someone else’s. Picasso’s words should not be seen as an excuse to copy but as a reminder to steal inspiration, transform it, and make it entirely one’s own.
DISCLAIMER: The quote by artist Joseph El Arid is the exact quotation posted on his social media platform along with the exact cropped image(s) in question and is approved to be reproduced in this article by the artist himself and reflects his own opinion on the subject matter at hand.
