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Mimesis
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The Greek philosopher Plato Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background.

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The Greek philosopher Plato
The Greek philosopher Plato Plato, marble portrait bust copied from an original of the 4th century bce; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.

Mimesis

art
Also known as: imitation, theatrical illusion
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‱History

Mimesis, basic theoretical principle in the creation of art. The word is Greek and means “imitation” (though in the sense of “re-presentation” rather than of “copying”). Plato and Aristotle spoke of mimesis as the re-presentation of nature. According to Plato, all artistic creation is a form of imitation: that which really exists (in the “world of ideas”) is a type created by God; the concrete things man perceives in his existence are shadowy representations of...

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