Who Really Makes the Art? Authorship, Authenticity, and the Modern Artist
The Question That Collectors Keep Coming Back To
When you collect art, you’re buying more than canvas and paint—you’re buying a piece of an artist’s vision. But here’s the question: what happens when the artist isn’t the only one who physically makes the work?
From master painters of the Renaissance to today’s tech-savvy creators, many artists have embraced the role of director rather than sole maker. And in our current moment—where AI, assistants, and specialized tools are part of the process—understanding authorship and authenticity matters more than ever for collectors.
What “Authorship” Really Means in Art
Authorship is about creative control and decision-making. It’s not just “who held the brush,” but who shaped the vision. In art history, authorship often rested with the master artist, even if their apprentices or studio assistants did much of the physical work.
Renaissance workshops, for example, produced paintings under the name of one artist—because the concept, design, and final approval came from them. Fast forward to Andy Warhol’s Factory in the 1960s, and you see a similar approach: Warhol’s ideas drove the work, even if others applied the silkscreen ink.
Defining “Authenticity” Beyond the Signature
Authenticity is about whether a piece is genuine—not just in terms of materials, but in spirit. A work can be authentic even if it wasn’t made entirely by the artist’s own hands, as long as it aligns with their vision and process.
For collectors, authenticity also comes from transparency. Knowing how a piece was made—whether with assistants, machinery, or AI—builds trust and strengthens the connection to the artist’s intent.
Famous Examples of the Artist-as-Director
Portrait of Rubens (1577-1640), his wife Helena Fourment (1614–1673), and their son (likely) Peter Paul (born 1637).
Peter Paul Rubens – Ran a bustling workshop where assistants painted under his direction.
Andy Warhol – Delegated much of the physical work but was always the conceptual driver.
Jeff Koons – Designs works but relies on skilled craftspeople to realize them.
Damien Hirst – Spot paintings, for example, are often painted by studio assistants.
Takashi Murakami – Manages a large studio where his bold, “superflat” style is executed by a team.
These artists have sold to major collectors and museums around the world—not despite their collaborative approach, but often because it allowed them to work at scale and push creative boundaries.
Enter the AI Era
Today, some artists (myself included) use AI as part of their process—often to create reference images that would be difficult or impossible to photograph. The painting, however, is still built by hand: brush on canvas, layer by layer.
AI in art sparks the same debate as past shifts in technology, like photography or the printing press. The question for collectors isn’t “Was AI used?” but “How was it used?” Was it a shortcut replacing human creativity, or a tool that expanded it?
Why This Matters to Art Collectors
As a collector, you’re investing in stories as much as in objects. Knowing an artist’s process—whether it involves a quiet lake swim before sketching, a team of assistants mixing paint, or AI-generated references—deepens your appreciation.
It also helps you assess:
Provenance – Can the artist clearly explain the work’s origin?
Artistic Intent – Was the vision theirs from start to finish?
Craftsmanship – How do tools, assistants, or technology influence the final quality?
Swimming Beneath the Surface
For those drawn to my own underwater swimmer paintings, you already know that the magic is in what happens beneath the surface. Light bends, movement distorts, and reality blurs. Authorship in art is a little like that—what you see on the surface is just part of the story. The real depth comes from knowing the process, the vision, and the mind behind the work.
Final Thoughts for Collectors
The art world has always been collaborative. The tools have changed—from apprentices with brushes to assistants with laptops—but the essence of authorship and authenticity remains the same: an artist’s unique vision, made real.
When you know the story behind the surface, you’re not just collecting an object. You’re collecting a piece of history, innovation, and human imagination.
