Market and collecting

Replica

An exact copy of a work of art with the aim of recreating the original.

Replica

Replica is not just a copy, but a deliberately executed repetition of a famous work of art, most often by the artist-author himself or his workshop. During the Renaissance, patrons could ask an artist to paint several replicas of a painting to decorate different palaces or churches. The difference from a fake: the author and the purpose of creation are always known for a replica — this is not deception, but the reproduction of an idea.

Interesting, that some museums display only replicas when the originals are too valuable or require restoration.

Replicas give an opportunity to approach great art for those who cannot see the original and to study famous techniques without risk to the originals.

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