Who decides if an artwork is truly original, just a reinterpretation, or outright plagiarism? In this engaging activity, students become the jury. Using real cases from art history, they examine the evidence, weigh the arguments, and deliver their verdicts.
This isn’t a typical critique exercise — it’s a courtroom-style investigation that shows students how the same questions they hear in class (“Is this your own idea?” “Did you give credit?”) echo through the history of art. From Bacon’s take on Velázquez to Duchamp’s infamous Mona Lisa, the line between inspiration and imitation has always been on trial.
What’s Included:
Jury Worksheet (double-sided, with guiding questions)
5 Art History Case Files (Bacon, Vermeer, Monet, Dürer, Duchamp)
Case Closed Rulings with explanations
Instruction slides + wrap-up “Big Picture” slide
Students will:
Analyze similarities and differences between works of art
Weigh evidence like a courtroom jury
Debate whether each case is Original, Reinterpretation, or Plagiarism
See how these questions connect to both art history and their own creative process
Perfect for:
Middle & high school art classes
Launching conversations about originality, influence, and ethics in art
Reinforcing that plagiarism isn’t just a “teacher rule” — it’s an issue that artists and critics have argued about for centuries
Who decides if an artwork is truly original, just a reinterpretation, or outright plagiarism? In this engaging activity, students become the jury. Using real cases from art history, they examine the evidence, weigh the arguments, and deliver their verdicts.
This isn’t a typical critique exercise — it’s a courtroom-style investigation that shows students how the same questions they hear in class (“Is this your own idea?” “Did you give credit?”) echo through the history of art. From Bacon’s take on Velázquez to Duchamp’s infamous Mona Lisa, the line between inspiration and imitation has always been on trial.
What’s Included:
Jury Worksheet (double-sided, with guiding questions)
5 Art History Case Files (Bacon, Vermeer, Monet, Dürer, Duchamp)
Case Closed Rulings with explanations
Instruction slides + wrap-up “Big Picture” slide
Students will:
Analyze similarities and differences between works of art
Weigh evidence like a courtroom jury
Debate whether each case is Original, Reinterpretation, or Plagiarism
See how these questions connect to both art history and their own creative process
Perfect for:
Middle & high school art classes
Launching conversations about originality, influence, and ethics in art
Reinforcing that plagiarism isn’t just a “teacher rule” — it’s an issue that artists and critics have argued about for centuries
