The imitation theory states that imitating reality is the essential characteristic of art. This philosophical theory can be explained using the painting ‘Ceci n’est pas une pipe’ by Rene Magritte.
Description of the imitation theory
Painting has two qualities. The first and most important is its power of imitation, the second is its power of expression (AA. van den Braembussche). This view places great emphasis on the fact that imitating reality is the essential characteristic of art. Mimesis is a Greek word that means imitation, image and copy. Plato looked at art according to mimesis (imitation theory). According to Plato, art was a representation of the third reality and therefore by definition less valuable because he always considered the third vision to be less true. The imitation theory is based on the similarity of art with sensory perception.
Relevance to current art appreciation
The imitation theory has only been relevant in the time before the invention of the camera. Impressionism emerged at the time of the invention of the camera. This very nicely indicates the function of imitation and also indicates a nice separation between ancient art and modern art. The imitation theory and therefore the function of art was very relevant because it generated reality and especially portraits, which were of course in demand. There was a great demand for this among the highly educated for self-glorification purposes, but also for recording images of special occasions.
Nowadays there is no longer a demand for this, of course, and art has taken on a completely different function. Good thing. Art has now started to focus more on expression and the artist’s own interpretation, so we learn to see feelings with our eyes. This also gives the artist the opportunity to put his feelings and not just reality on canvas.
Magritte’s pipe
The work of Rene Magritte is a good expression, if you look at the relativity of the imitation theory. The vision of the artist himself plays too great a role to speak of exact imitation. Things are never seen as virginal, they are always colored by a style concept or convention (AA van den Braembussche). The pipe looks like a real pipe, as if it was photographed to be there, in a cupboard, but it will never be, as this is still beautifully modeled paint on canvas. Is imitation actually imitating reality? No, because reality is reality, and imitation is an imitation. One can never be the other. For example, Magritte’s pipe is, as he himself says, not a pipe.