The Poetics of Description

The narrative explores the evolution of ecphrasis from its roots in classical antiquity, where vivid descriptions aimed to immerse audiences as if they were witnessing events firsthand. It examines how this ideal of immediacy shifted over time, leading to a focus on the complexities of representation itself, highlighting the tension between direct experience and artistic interpretation. Through this lens, the book delves into the philosophical implications of how art and description shape our perception of reality.