Art Blog #87: “Good Artists Borrow. Great Artists Steal”
21. November, 2024 - Reading time 6 Min. - Peter von Hauerland
#ArtQuotes #ArtistsQuotes #CreativityQuotes #CreativityQuotes #MotivationalQuotes
It’s tempting to believe that true genius comes from discovering everything on your own, but this mindset is shortsighted. No artist exists in a vacuum. To ignore the vast wealth of knowledge and creativity left behind by previous generations is to limit yourself unnecessarily.
GREAT THINGS ARE NOT DONE BY IMPULSE
"Good Artists Borrow. Great Artists Steal": The Art of Learning from Masters
Throughout history, the journey to artistic greatness has often begun at the feet of those who came before. Every brushstroke, chisel mark, or digital pixel stands on the foundation of someone else's mastery. The idea that only a truly original idea holds value is a romantic myth. In reality, all great artists—whether painters, sculptors, writers, or musicians—understand that their greatness begins with learning, borrowing, and even imitating the work of their predecessors.
The Value of Borrowing and Imitation
There’s no shame in borrowing. Every student, whether in art, science, or any discipline, starts by mimicking the works of those they admire. In the early stages of creation, imitation is not theft—it’s learning. The essence of creativity is a blend of inspiration and practice, where originality emerges from reshaping what already exists.
Consider the process of learning to draw: an aspiring artist begins by copying anatomy sketches or studying the proportions of a Renaissance masterpiece. These exercises hone their skills, train their eye, and connect them to a lineage of creative mastery. In doing so, they’re not just copying—they’re absorbing centuries of knowledge and technique, preparing themselves to innovate when the time is right.
The 10% Creativity, 90% Practice Rule
Behind every "effortless" masterpiece is a mountain of practice. As the saying goes, genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. Borrowing ideas is a small but crucial part of that equation; the rest is perfecting one’s craft through discipline and repetition. The result? A unique artistic voice, shaped by influence but unmistakably original.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Some of history's greatest artists understood that they didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they saw themselves as part of an artistic lineage, building on the work of those who came before them. Michelangelo studied the sculptures of ancient Greece. Picasso was deeply inspired by African tribal art. Andy Warhol borrowed from advertising and mass media. Each of these giants didn’t stop at imitation—they transformed their influences into something groundbreaking.
Foolishness vs. Wisdom
It’s tempting to believe that true genius comes from discovering everything on your own, but this mindset is shortsighted. No artist exists in a vacuum. To ignore the vast wealth of knowledge and creativity left behind by previous generations is to limit yourself unnecessarily. Wisdom lies in recognizing that every great idea is part of a continuum, and every new innovation builds upon the old.
Making It Greater
The magic happens when borrowing transforms into stealing—but not in the way you might think. To “steal” in art means to take an idea and make it so profoundly your own that its origins become secondary. It’s not theft in the literal sense; it’s about making a piece of inspiration inseparable from your identity as an artist. By doing this, you elevate the work, carrying it to new heights and, in turn, inspiring the next generation.
The Surprising Source of the Quote
And now, the origin of our titular quote: “Good artists borrow. Great artists steal.” While the sentiment is often attributed to Picasso, its true source is T.S. Eliot, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Eliot wrote, “Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different.”
Whether in poetry or painting, the message is clear: greatness is not about where you begin but how far you take what you’ve borrowed. So, don’t hesitate to learn, imitate, or borrow—just remember to transform it into something that only you could create.
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