Consideration the Role of Inspiration and Adaptation in the Authenticity of the Visual Artworks

The preservation of the authenticity of artworks in the art history and contemporary era has been always important and necessary. In the present era, the return to the traditions of the past has made it necessary to understand the concept of originality in relation to topics such as inspiration and adaptation in the art visual works. Reading past works in the artist's minds reveals their impact in two different ways, one is an inspiration (unconscious influence) and the other is adaptation. In inspiration, the artist without prior intention is affected by the elements and practices of his predecessors, and repeats their form and style work in their artwork. In the second figure, the artist, having full conscious of the origin of the method, engages in it. Of course, these readings sometimes question the notions of authenticity of artwork. Therefore, the importance of understanding the concept of authenticity in relation between two topics such as inspiration and adaptation in the works of visual arts is important and significant. From ancient times to today, we have seen the many artists’ works of the past to this day using various adaptations and references. Of course, the scope of these adaptations is not just limited to visual arts, but we have also seen valuable adaptations in literature, theater and scriptwriting. It is also important to note that, given the fact that any valuable traditional artist in his past finds, the achievement of superb creativity, if not based on innate genius, requires familiarity with artistic tradition and the form inherited by the artist. That is the way to significance the role of inspiration shows. This article aims to explain the position and role of authenticity in visual arts in answer to the main question of whether the artist that inspired and adapted from other visual artworks, can preserve authenticity of artworks. Another issue that is addressed here is the role of artist's individual creativity in the authentication of work. Considering the results of research about the inspiration and adaptation of art works and art history, if artists achieve a new personal and creative statement in accordance with the principles and knowledge, they do not cause destructive effects on authenticity while the new work preserving the authenticity of the earlier work. It can also count as a new authenticity and a genuine artist's expression. In the contemporary era, the division of the artwork’s authenticity into absolute and relative authenticity can allow understanding and preservation of the authenticity’s concept in view of the present age’s complexities. In addition to, an artwork that introduces familiar and well-known issues is not authentic, however the art work that expresses the new perspective and initiative on a subject or content count authentic. Therefore, in the present article, it has been tried to mention the role of inspiration and adaptation concepts separately by introducing samples of some artists’ works and the discussions in relation to the authenticity of the artwork. Research methodology is descriptive analytical method with library studies and using Internet resources.