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A “Mastercopy” is work made after the work of another artist, usually fairly faithfully, in the copying artist’s attempt to learn about the work by making their own version of it. This method was used extensively to teach in the Atelier model, and in other schools of formal art training where representational artwork is highly valued. Personally I’d been making mastercopies before I had the term for them, since childhood, drawing the masterworks I got to see in France and Italy while on family vacations. I’d copy from art books, too, but nothing is more fun than drawing or painting a favorite piece of art from the original. My family is used to leaving me in one spot in museums for hours and hours, a habit I keep up with when I visit museum exhibits still. The work in the 2023 Holiday Sale labeled as mastercopies was made from reproductions in books, not the original works, but I still find the exercises to be challenging, interesting, and fruitful. I always come away more appreciative of the work I’m drawing than before, no matter how much I loved it. As always, feel free to reply to this email or reach out to david@DavidOSmithArtist.com with questions. Cheers, David
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