1. A vivid, detailed literary or rhetorical description of a visual work of art, scene, or object.
Usage: Literary and rhetorical term; Often used in classical rhetoric and modern literary criticism

Examples

• The poet's ecphrasis of the ancient vase brought its intricate carvings to life for readers.
• In Homer's Iliad, the ecphrasis of Achilles' shield is one of the most famous passages in literature.
• The novelist used ecphrasis to describe the painting hanging in the museum, making readers feel as though they were standing before it.
• Medieval writers employed ecphrasis to convey the beauty of religious artworks to audiences who might never see them.
• The art critic's ecphrasis captured not just the visual details of the sculpture but also its emotional impact.