The problem of authenticity
When D. H. Lawrence saw the mural that Diego Rivera was doing in Mexico, he said: “Bah, imitations of Gauguin” (cited in The Mexican Mural Renaissance 1920-1925 by Jean Charlot, 161).
Reading this made me think about how fine the line between inspiration and imitation is. When academics cite the work of others, they appear to us as more learned. When artists get direct inspiration from fellow artists, do we think they are better artists?
