Appropriation and Art
Visual Art
Appropriation in Art
By
Cassandra Pailles-Pattison
Appropriation in the visual arts is when an artist takes possession of another’s work and re-uses it in a different context, most commonly in order to reveal issues surrounding originality or a meaning not apparent in the original work1. The types of appropriation used by artists include re-visioning, re-evaluation, variation, imitation, parody, homage, mimicry and allusion2. The practice of appropriation is a tradition that has been adopted by artists throughout history, but in more recent times has become an art movement that questions the whole creative process, intending more to bring out a new meaning3.
In order to determine whether copying images when developing artwork is a valid technique, or an ethical approach, two examples of historical appropriated images are considered; the ‘Third of May’ painted originally by Fancisco Goya in 1808, and ‘The Creation of Adam’ painted by Michelangelo in 1511.
Francisco Goya’s original piece entitled “Third of May”, depicts Napoleon’s troops executing Spanish resisters. The painting is divided in two sections, on the right of the painting are Napoleon’s troops armed and ready to shoot and on the left are the resisters, some dead while the others beg for their lives. The impending execution of civilians lies at the heart of the painting, highlighting the horror of war and the injustices it brings.
“Third of May” by Francisco Goya (1808)4
This image was subsequently appropriated by Edouart Manet’s in his painting entitled “The execution of Emperor Maximilian” in 1867. As with the original, the painting is also divided into two sections. On the right side are the troops ready to fire and execute. On the opposite side are the unarmed civilians awaiting their deaths, the onlookers watching in horror and dismay.
“The Execution of Emperor Maximilian” by Edouard Manet (1867)5
This image was subsequently appropriated by Pablo
Appropriation in Art
By
Cassandra Pailles-Pattison
Appropriation in the visual arts is when an artist takes possession of another’s work and re-uses it in a different context, most commonly in order to reveal issues surrounding originality or a meaning not apparent in the original work1. The types of appropriation used by artists include re-visioning, re-evaluation, variation, imitation, parody, homage, mimicry and allusion2. The practice of appropriation is a tradition that has been adopted by artists throughout history, but in more recent times has become an art movement that questions the whole creative process, intending more to bring out a new meaning3.
In order to determine whether copying images when developing artwork is a valid technique, or an ethical approach, two examples of historical appropriated images are considered; the ‘Third of May’ painted originally by Fancisco Goya in 1808, and ‘The Creation of Adam’ painted by Michelangelo in 1511.
Francisco Goya’s original piece entitled “Third of May”, depicts Napoleon’s troops executing Spanish resisters. The painting is divided in two sections, on the right of the painting are Napoleon’s troops armed and ready to shoot and on the left are the resisters, some dead while the others beg for their lives. The impending execution of civilians lies at the heart of the painting, highlighting the horror of war and the injustices it brings.
“Third of May” by Francisco Goya (1808)4
This image was subsequently appropriated by Edouart Manet’s in his painting entitled “The execution of Emperor Maximilian” in 1867. As with the original, the painting is also divided into two sections. On the right side are the troops ready to fire and execute. On the opposite side are the unarmed civilians awaiting their deaths, the onlookers watching in horror and dismay.
“The Execution of Emperor Maximilian” by Edouard Manet (1867)5
This image was subsequently appropriated by Pablo
References: 10 Polyvore. http://www.polyvore.com/almightys_pop_culture_food_funny/ thing?id=16816648