Works of art are copied for various reasons. Copies of works of ecclesiastical art are created to protect the originals from decay or vandalism. Such copies may be exhibited in museums without the need for a showcase, thereby enabling visitors to study the artworks in close-up.  

The copy of a work of art must be so technically perfect that no difference to the original is discernable to the naked eye.

	In order to protect the originals of the 2.5m high full-length statues of St. Benedict  and St. John Nepomuk standing at the main entrance to Stift Kremsmünster these have been replaced by copies made by Atelier Macala. St. John Nepomuk Stift Kremsmünster Kremsmünster
	A 1.15m high model of the Mozart Memorial in Mozart Square was created to go on display on the occasion of the Mozart Year in 1991. Mozart Statue SMCA, Salzburg