What does postiche mean?
A postiche is an imitation, especially an artistic, literary, or architectural work that imitates the style of another piece without displaying enough originality, skill, or authenticity to stand on its own. The term often carries a critical or dismissive implication: a postiche is not merely influenced by an earlier work but visibly copies it, and the copy is judged to be mechanically or superficially achieved. The word is particularly common in art criticism and architectural history, although it can describe any conspicuously derivative work. A postiche may also refer more generally to a copy or reproduction. Its distinction from a related artistic imitation is mainly evaluative: a postiche stresses inferior or overly dependent craftsmanship, while work described as a pastiche may be an intentional and technically accomplished homage to another style or period.
nounAn imitation, especially an artistic or literary work that imitates the style of another work or artist, often with a lower degree of skill or originality. The word is often used critically to suggest that an imitation is superficial or mechanical.
- An artistic or literary imitation, especially one perceived as lacking skill, authenticity, or originality.
- A copy or reproduction made in imitation of an original.
"The building was dismissed by critics as a postiche of the Renaissance palaces it imitated."
"The novel contains several vivid passages, but the final chapter feels like a postiche of the author's earlier work."
"The museum acquired what specialists later identified as a postiche of a famous seventeenth-century portrait."
The plural is postiches, with the final pronounced as an unstressed syllable: /ˈpɒstɪʃɪz/ in British usage and /ˈpɑːstɪʃɪz/ in US usage.
"Several of the sketches were dismissed as postiches rather than independent works."
Postiche comes from Italian pasticcio, meaning a pie: its artistic sense grew from the idea of blending materials into a single mixture.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does postiche come from?
The word entered English from French postiche, from Italian pasticcio, a word for pie or pastry. The artistic sense developed from the culinary idea of a mixture, with the Italian word being applied figuratively to a work combining materials or styles borrowed from elsewhere. The culinary term ultimately derives from Latin pasticium, associated with pastry, which explains links with related forms such as pastry and pastel.
Related word forms
How postiche is actually used
Generally formal and often disparaging. It is frequently used in discussion of art, architecture, literature, and decorative objects, where it implies imitation without the creative independence or technical achievement valued in an original work.
Easily confused with postiche
Both words can refer to an imitation of another work, but a postiche usually implies inferior or overly mechanical copying, whereas a pastiche can be a deliberate and accomplished work in the style of another artist or period.