It's OK if Bob Dylan does it?

[jliddil]

So is it ok that Dylan appears not to be giving attribution to the original artists?

Dylan Paintings Draw Scrutiny - NYTimes.com

[mosgood]

In my eyes, plagarizing is plagarizing no matter how famous/infamous a person might be. In fact, I find this to be a bit of a double standard as I'd bet money on the fact he wouldn't like it if someone lifted some or all of his lyrics or music for profit.

[Mike367]

What gets me is that they take his claims of originality as proof of originality, despite the irrefutable evidence to the contrary. If he admitted that he made this painting from someone else's photograph, I would be fine with that. Apparently it's more important to be popular than to be correct and truthful. I'm sure it doesn't hurt if the people you steal from are dead.

[rosserx]

It was Pablo Picasso who (supposedly) said, "Good artists borrow, great artists steal". And since Dylan is a great artist...there you go!

[Gulf Coast Girl]

I think the 9th comment in the comments section by poster Alex says it best...

Of course this gets glossed over because it's Dylan. If it were anyone else, people wouldn't be so tepid in characterizing this as what it really is. Those paintings aren't "similar," they are exact.

[MattG]

I don't know if the issue of painting a copy of a photo is particularly bad or rare, but trying to pass it off as first hand experiences from his travels is taking the mick. Though if hallucinogenic drugs were involved, maybe he really does believe it!

[dianneB]

Bob Dylan paintings may be copied from photographs but I think he just drew on his inspiration to paint the paintings. And this is not the first time Dylan has been accused of plagiarism. Any article about Bob Dylan will always drag in those who say that Dylan just copied other peoples' design.

[NathanFranke]

I posted the article to FB, and got a few comments. Some were "for shame, bob", echoing what I said. Others were: "He's always done this with his music and gotten a free pass. Music fans are more forgiving than artists."
I'm not sure how I feel about that. "You are the audience. I am the writer (artist). I outrank you!"