نویسنده
استادیار گروه پژوهش هنر دانشگاه هنر
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسنده [English]
This study examines the conceptual evolution of imitation (taqlid) and mimesis (muhākāt) as foundational frameworks in the understanding of artistic creation, tracing their transformation from classical Greek philosophy to the Iranian-Islamic intellectual tradition. The investigation begins with Plato, who viewed mimesis as a deceptive imitation of the material world and, consequently, adopted a critical stance toward artistic practice. In contrast, Aristotle redefined mimesis as an inherent human capacity linked to learning and emotional catharsis, positioning art as a valuable cognitive and affective activity.
Building on this philosophical foundation, the study explores how key Iranian-Islamic philosophers such as Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and Nasir al-Din Tusi— reinterpreted mimesis through the lens of takhayyul (creative imagination). In this framework, imagination functions as an active mediator between the sensory and the intelligible, enabling the artist to translate metaphysical truths into perceptible forms. Accordingly, traditional Islamic art—manifested in practices such as miniature painting, calligraphy, and architecture—does not aim at exact replication of nature but seeks to symbolize deeper spiritual and cosmic realities.
This process-oriented approach situates artistic creation as a form of spiritual ascent. While Aristotle emphasized the psychological purification (catharsis) resulting from art, Islamic philosophers emphasized its metaphysical dimension—as a reflective act that aligns the soul with divine order. The artist, in this context, becomes not a mere imitator but a mirror of transcendent light.
Using a descriptive-analytical methodology and drawing upon classical philosophical texts and visual traditions, this study highlights the enduring relevance of imaginative representation in traditional aesthetics. It argues that in Islamic thought, art transcends surface appearances to serve as a vehicle for contemplation, spiritual knowledge, and the embodiment of sacred meaning.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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