Pastiche

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /pæsˈtiːʃ/

Definitions

1. A creative work that imitates the style of another artist or work, often blending multiple styles together in a lighthearted or respectful manner
2. A work of art or literature that imitates the style or character of various sources, combining them in a playful or celebratory way
3. A composition that blends elements from different artists or genres, creating a new piece that pays homage to each influence while maintaining originality

Etymology: Before "pastiche" meant a literary or artistic imitation, the Italian "pasticcio" meant a pie, or more loosely, a mixture of many ingredients baked together. That sense of blending carried over into art: a pasticcio was a work stitched together from different sources. The French adopted the idea as "pastiche," and English borrowed the word from French, so the word's history runs through a kitchen before it reaches the studio. The chain of descent goes back further still. Italian "pasticcio" comes from Vulgar Latin "*pastīcius," formed from Late Latin "pasta," meaning dough or paste, which in turn came from Ancient Greek "pastá," a barley porridge. The Greek noun belongs with "pastós," meaning sprinkled with salt, so the ancient root of a modern art term is a salted grain dish. English "pastiche" and Italian "pasticcio" are doublets: two forms of one word, borrowed at different times and by different routes, that have settled into separate meanings. "Pasticcio" survives in English mainly for a musical or artistic work assembled from pieces of others, while "pastiche" covers the broader imitation of a style.

Synonyms: medley, mosaic

Antonyms: original