Is it possible to make a great work of art that is "derivative"?

Question:

Is it possible to make a great work of art that is "derivative"?

Why do you come to this conclusion?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Absolutely. One can make a convincing argument that all art is 'derivative'. No art takes place in a vacuum, and most 'breakthroughs' or great bursts of creativity are really just small innovations on previous works. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Whats important is your motive. If you are intentionally trying to copy something just to make money then its not really art but if you are inspired by something and it has an emotional effect on you and you want to carry on in that vein then it can be true art. Sure.
Everything is derivative. yes, because i have seen art in so many types of things and i have seen the ordinary transformed into something awe-inspiring you can take a petal from a flower and smear it into a blot on a blank page and in the right circumstances it is art...

peace love the creative process Hmmmm, interesting question. Real art is an expression of something that is unique to yourself. On the other hand, art is interpreted differently by different people. So I supposed it would be possible that you could make a work of art which you think expresses perfectly your innermost feelings, only to find that some think it is derivative of another work.

In the end, it doesn't matter. Just express yourself and let the idiots that like to think of themselves as art critics think whatever they like. I would be inclined to say no. Most great art is/was a rejection or a challenge of what came before it, not just the same stuff in a different suit. Most great art carries in it the values of the thinking in a society. Of course, there is always Andy Warhol's Soup Cans and such that contradict me. I would say that is derivative. But time will tell (100 years or so) if it is great art. Personally, I have never believed it but there are plenty who will disagree with me.