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Richard Prince's Art, Fair Use or Piracy?

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By Ralph Deeds


$1.3 Million Krantz/Prince Marlboro Man Photo


Richard Prince's "Art"

In the 1970s Richard Prince became known as a pioneer in "appropriation art" by photographing other photographs, usually from magazine ads., enlarging them and exhibiting them in art galleries. One of his photographs from a Marlboro ad sold by Christies for $1.3 million, a record for any photograph. The original of this picture as well as another copied by Richard Prince which sold for $332,000 by Christies, was taken by Richard Krantz on assignment for Marlboro cigarettes ads. Mr. Krantz and others whose photographs Mr. Prince has "borrowed" have expressed concern over this use of their work. Mr. Krantz's advertiser clients in most cases own the copyrights to the photographs copied and sold as art by Mr. Prince. The Guggenheim Museum in New York is currently holding a 30-year retrospective of Mr. Prince's work.

The NY Times article by Randy Kennedy 12-6-07 linked below raises interesting questions about the nature of art, fair use and copyright protection. Apparently the working definition of art in the art auction and museum world includes photographs copied from the work of other photographers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/arts/design/06prin.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin

 

Jim Krantz's 1997 photo "Stretchin' Out" taken for a Marlboro ad


Richard Prince Photo, original or copy?


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William F. Torpey profile image

William F. Torpey  says:
2 years ago

This is incredible! I think I'll buy a camera -- actually I have one on my cell phone, but I didn't know how valuable could be.

Earth Angel profile image

Earth Angel  says:
2 years ago

GREAT Hub Paul!! Thank you for sharing!! Beside writing, I create original watercolors and produce my own giclee's!! With just my tiny bit of expertise, and a four-foot wide format HP, I have learned to duplicate my own work so well even trained artists find it hard to tell the difference!! I deal with copyright issues all the time!! Not just for writing but for images as well!! And as you might imagine, I am a huge proponent of honoring the original copyright holder!! GREAT Hub!! Thank you for sharing!!

Ralph Deeds profile image

Ralph Deeds  says:
2 years ago

Tnx for the comments!

nikki1 profile image

nikki1  says:
2 months ago

wow, the second photo is a copy. Shame on Marlboros commerical. Can't stand those cancer sticks. They are a silent killer.Great article thou. Sorry for sounding negative at first. Have a great day.

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