In this selection of work from Londonart artists we can see examples of pieces that copy, transcribe or draw creative influence from works by recognised masters throughout history.Transcription has a long running tradition for artists looking for inspiration in their subject matter. The intention may be to reproduce the work as accurately as possible, freeing the artists from compositional dilemmas and allowing them to focus on the execution of their technique. The work of Simon Butler and Ralph Shepherd give us wonderfully recreated works inspired by the likes of William Bouguereau and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Alternatively the artist may take the original work as a starting point and develop it, allowing their own hand to show, or commenting on social and historical contexts. Quite often the final work may not look anything like the original. David Day and Frank Xerox both give us wonderfully subversive new ways of looking at old masters.
