Imitation Theories

The Imitation Theory of Art originates from ancient Greece.

Plato had stated that art is an attempt to replicate or understand life.

Simple Imitation argues that visual artwork ought to represent reality as it truly is and that the value of the work be determined based on its resemblance to its model.

Imitation of Essences argues that the aim of artwork is not to appear identical to reality, but to depict the essence of reality by selecting from the raw material of life.

Imitation of the Moral Ideal argues that art ought to imitate an ideal or communicate a moral.

Formalist Theory  argues that art ought to be a world of its own with no need to replicate or borrow from reality.

Emotionalist Theory argues that art is a vehicle for expressing human emotion.