
Picasso Quote
2005
A large irregular slab of Portland stone with the quote 'The bad artists imitate, the great artists steal.' carved in relief lettering. The attribution line beneath the quote has 'Pablo Picasso' struck through and replaced with 'Banksy,' a characteristically subversive act of appropriation that comments on originality and artistic theft. The raw, monument-like quality of the stone gives the work a weighty, quasi-archaeological presence. This piece is a signature example of Banksy's conceptual wit and his ongoing critique of authorship and the art establishment.
- Medium
- Engraved Portland stone
- Signed
- Yes
Notes
The engraved attribution reads 'Pablo Picasso' with a strikethrough, replaced below by 'Banksy.' The stone slab has an irregular, broken edge silhouette suggesting it may reference ancient tablets or architectural fragments. The work is displayed on a plain wooden plinth or base. Ownership status noted as 'spotted' indicating this is a sighting rather than an acquisition.
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