In the world of art, many creators have been wrongfully overlooked or entirely erased from the historical narrative. While certain names became synonymous with iconic artworks, the true artists behind these pieces have often gone unrecognized. Whether due to power dynamics, gender inequality, or outright deception, countless brilliant minds have been denied their rightful place in art history.
In this blog post, we’ll correct the record and shed light on wrongfully credited artists, acknowledging the true creators behind some of the world’s most famous works.
1. Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel’s Design
Wrongly Credited Artist: Michelangelo
Actual Creators: Numerous assistants and craftsmen
While Michelangelo is rightfully credited with painting the magnificent frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the widespread belief that he worked entirely alone is incorrect. Michelangelo had a team of assistants, including skilled craftsmen and painters, who helped complete the vast project.
Though Michelangelo designed and painted the most significant portions of the ceiling, including the famous image of God reaching out to Adam, many background figures and architectural elements were painted by his assistants. These artisans were integral to finishing the enormous task in a timely manner, but their names have largely faded into history.
Michelangelo's genius is undeniable, but it’s important to recognize that the Sistine Chapel’s creation was a collective effort, involving multiple talented individuals.
2. Diego Rivera and the Detroit Industry Murals
Wrongly Credited Artist: Diego Rivera
Actual Creator: Frida Kahlo
Mexican muralist Diego Rivera is best known for his large, intricate murals depicting the struggles and triumphs of the working class. One of his most famous works, the Detroit Industry Murals, resides in the Detroit Institute of Arts and is celebrated as a masterpiece of 20th-century art.
However, it is often overlooked that Frida Kahlo, Rivera’s wife and one of the most iconic artists of the modern era, played a significant role in this project. Frida Kahlo assisted Rivera during the mural's creation, particularly contributing to the detailed elements of the mural and inspiring key themes. While Rivera’s name is the one most associated with the murals, Kahlo's influence on the project cannot be ignored. Kahlo’s deep understanding of Mexican folk art, symbolism, and cultural heritage helped shape the murals' visual language, adding to their lasting impact.
3. Pablo Picasso and Cubism
Wrongly Credited Artist: Pablo Picasso
Actual Creator: Georges Braque
Pablo Picasso is one of the most influential and well-known artists of the 20th century, often hailed as the founder of Cubism, an artistic movement that revolutionized modern art. While Picasso's contributions to Cubism are undeniable, he was not the sole inventor of the style.
In fact, Georges Braque, a French painter, co-founded Cubism alongside Picasso. The two artists collaborated closely between 1907 and 1914, developing Cubism's fragmented, abstract forms. Braque’s approach to painting, which emphasized geometric shapes and the deconstruction of perspective, was instrumental in the birth of Cubism. However, Picasso’s fame eventually eclipsed Braque’s, leading many to mistakenly attribute the entire movement to Picasso.
While Picasso is often celebrated as the face of Cubism, Georges Braque deserves equal credit for his pioneering role in the movement.
4. Rosa Bonheur and the Horse Fair
Wrongly Credited Artist: Men in the Salon of Paris
Actual Creator: Rosa Bonheur
Rosa Bonheur, a trailblazing 19th-century artist, was renowned for her realistic depictions of animals, especially horses. One of her most famous works, The Horse Fair (1853), shows a dynamic, large-scale depiction of horses being paraded and sold. Though she achieved acclaim during her lifetime, Bonheur faced significant barriers as a female artist in a male-dominated field.
Many men in the Salon of Paris—the prestigious French art institution—tried to claim authorship or dismiss her work, as it was difficult for them to accept that a woman had created such a powerful and commanding piece. Despite attempts to wrongfully credit male artists for her work, Bonheur stood her ground and ultimately earned recognition for her incredible talent.
Bonheur’s The Horse Fair remains an iconic symbol of her defiance against gender inequality in the art world, and her rightful place in art history has only been solidified in recent years.
5. Marcel Duchamp and the Fountain
Wrongly Credited Artist: Marcel Duchamp
Actual Creator: Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven
The Fountain, an iconic piece of Dada art consisting of a porcelain urinal, is often attributed to Marcel Duchamp. The piece challenged conventional notions of art and sparked a revolution in conceptual art. However, many art historians believe that Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven, a radical and eccentric German artist, was the true creator of the piece.
Von Freytag-Loringhoven was known for her provocative, avant-garde style and is said to have sent the urinal to Duchamp as a submission to an art exhibition. Duchamp then signed it with the pseudonym “R. Mutt” and submitted it to the Society of Independent Artists, where it became a cornerstone of Dadaism. Over time, Duchamp received all the credit, while von Freytag-Loringhoven’s involvement faded from the narrative.
Given her penchant for breaking artistic norms, von Freytag-Loringhoven is believed by many to be the real mind behind The Fountain, and her role as one of the earliest conceptual artists is slowly being recognized.
6. Andy Warhol and His Factory’s Artists
Wrongly Credited Artist: Andy Warhol
Actual Creators: Collaborators at The Factory
Andy Warhol, the leading figure of the Pop Art movement, is famous for works like the Campbell’s Soup Cans and portraits of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe. Warhol’s style is defined by mass production and commercialism, often using silkscreen printing techniques to create his iconic images. However, much of his art was created in The Factory, his New York City studio where numerous assistants and collaborators contributed to his work.
Artists like Gerard Malanga, Billy Name, and Brigid Berlin played essential roles in producing Warhol’s pieces, yet they were rarely acknowledged. Malanga, for example, was integral in developing Warhol’s silkscreen technique, which became a defining feature of his work. Despite their significant contributions, most of the credit has historically gone to Warhol himself.
The Factory was an experimental, collaborative space, and many of the works produced there were the result of a group effort rather than the sole vision of Andy Warhol.
Why Correct Attribution in Art Matters
Properly attributing works of art to their rightful creators is crucial for several reasons.
First, it preserves the integrity of art history, ensuring that future generations have an accurate understanding of how and by whom key movements and artworks were developed. When the contributions of artists are misattributed, entire narratives can be skewed, leaving significant creators erased from the record.
Secondly, proper attribution allows for fair recognition of the time, talent, and labor artists invest in their work. In cases where gender, race, or social status played a role in miscrediting, giving the rightful creators their due helps rectify historical inequalities.
Finally, understanding that art is often a collaborative process deepens our appreciation for the creative journey. Many artworks are the product of multiple minds and hands, and recognizing all contributors enriches our experience of the finished piece.
Conclusion
From Rosa Bonheur to Georges Braque, many talented artists have been wrongfully denied credit for their groundbreaking contributions. By setting the record straight, we not only celebrate these creators but also highlight the importance of fair recognition in the art world. Correct attribution ensures that the legacies of lesser-known or overlooked artists are preserved, while also enriching our understanding of art's true history.
