Art, representation and truth

Abstract

Art in general is seen by some as having a representative nature, and this is perhaps the case since so many works of art 're-present' or 're=produce' some aspect of nature or reality external to the work of art. This view of art, which had been the dominant view up until a couple of centuries ago at most, begs the question, 'What is the relation between the work of art and the reality which it represents? Is art really a mirror of nature?' It also begs questions about truth: 'Is it a true representation or a false one - a misrepresentation of reality?' In the theory of art, Plato and Aristotle, while writing very limited material on the subject, have had a significant influence. This essay is an attempt to analyse such philosophical questions in art, namely questions about representation and truth such a s those mentioned above and, inevitably, there will be referencing, implicit or explicit, to the works of these two Classical giants of philosophy. It is only appropriate, therefore, that this essay should start with an evaluation of their teachings of relevance to the subject.