Some will love what I'm about to say: "There is nothing new under the sun". I do not think that these words can be taken flippantly, and with just a small amount of thought, it can be derived, that these words are accurate. But this type of sentiment is not limited to the traditional bible, there are some philosophers that subscribe to these ideas, long before the bible was put together. Socrates in the book "The Republic" states that the artist is just the imitator of the creator, an not matter show great his skill, be it in the visual arts, musical or even literature, he can only paint, compose or expound on what there is. When an artist paints a landscape even if it is from his imagination, the elements therein, and the composition of them are not new. Yes, tress have existed for a long time, yes even the type that was painted, and they all had the roots planted in the soil or water, next to a luscious field of poppies. None of this, even if he/she thinks it is the imagination has not been created out of thin air, - it is the sum of experiences that have made the painting. The same principle will be taken for the other arts. Socrates loved the works of Homer, but intensely disliked the concept that he (Homer) was a mere imitator. Then you get the imitators of the imitators, those that copy the work of recognized artists, like I have done this drawing done by Michelangelo.
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