On the Depiction of Figurative Representational Pictures within Pictures

Abstract

A special kind of figurative representational picture is a picture containing a depiction of a picture. Using a number of examples, the author considers both the historical and philosophical problems raised by such pictures. He argues that pictures within pictures are best considered ‘quoted’ pictures, and, drawing an analogy with verbal quotations, he offers some suggestions about how to analyze them. He suggests that works by a number of painters can be better understood by seeing what kinds of pictures they choose to ‘quote’. Finally, he discusses a special kind of quoted picture treated in a number of recent texts. These pictures contain what he calls ‘unconscious quotations’. He explains why the notion of such unconscious quotations should be accepted with caution.