The rupture of the mimetic epistemological model

Résumé

Mimesis as an epistemological model originated in ancient Greece when artists imitated their masters and followed pre-established models. Humanism, in turn, rescues this model and improves it: just as Vergil imitated Homer, Dante imitated Vergil; if Petrarch sought in the classics the source of inspiration for his poetry, Camões, in turn, makes the sonnets from the Italian as his model, to mention a few examples. However, such a procedure did not represent plagiarism, as it was a way to honor the masters. This model reached its peak in the 17^th century, declining in the following centuries, especially in the 19^th century. However, with its rupture, the representation models permeated Western culture for centuries were lost, leading subjectivity to assume the preponderant role in art. More than a change in the perception of art, there was a change in the world's perception that surrounds humanity, whose significant influence was due to photography.