The Art of Ekphrasis: Writing Poetry Inspired by Visual Art
by Creations Magazine
In the quiet spaces between brushstrokes and shadows, where colors breathe emotion and composition tells a silent story, there exists a bridge—one that connects the visual to the verbal, the image to the imagination. This bridge is called ekphrasis, the art of writing poetry inspired by visual art.
From ancient times to modern expression, ekphrasis has invited poets to engage in dialogue with art—to reflect, reinterpret, and reimagine what they see through the transformative power of language. More than mere description, ekphrastic poetry is an act of witnessing, of translating the emotional resonance of visual art into verse that speaks, sings, and stirs the soul.
What Is Ekphrasis?
The word “ekphrasis” originates from the Greek ek (“out”) and phrasis (“speak”)—literally, “to speak out.” In literature, it refers to vivid, often dramatic description of a visual work of art, often in poetic form.
But ekphrasis is more than explanation. It’s not just “writing about art”—it’s writing with art, writing through it. It’s a creative response, a kind of conversation between two mediums, where the poet acts not as critic or observer, but as co-creator of meaning.
A Brief History of Ekphrastic Poetry
Ekphrasis dates back to classical antiquity. One of the most famous early examples is Homer’s description of Achilles’ shield in The Iliad—a passage so rich in detail and symbolic resonance that it’s been called a poem within a poem.
Later, poets like John Keats would turn to paintings and sculptures for inspiration. His “Ode on a Grecian Urn” doesn’t just describe an ancient vase; it explores time, beauty, and mortality through its imagined scenes. William Carlos Williams wrote poems inspired by Bruegel’s paintings; W.H. Auden responded to Picasso’s “Guernica”; and countless contemporary poets continue to find muse and message in visual works.
Why Write Ekphrastic Poetry?
Writing ekphrastic poetry is a creative practice with many benefits:
Deepens observation: It invites you to look closely, to see not just what’s there but what’s implied, hidden, or symbolic.
Fosters emotional connection: Art evokes emotion—ekphrasis helps you process and express that reaction.
Stimulates imagination: It frees you to explore the world beyond the frame. What came before the painting? What happens after? What is unsaid?
Offers creative constraint: Working from a visual prompt provides structure while allowing endless interpretive freedom.
How to Write an Ekphrastic Poem
There’s no single formula, but here’s a process that many writers find helpful:
1. Choose a Piece of Art
Select a work that speaks to you. It might be a famous painting, a photograph, a sculpture, or even a mural or installation piece. Trust your instinct—what draws you in emotionally or intellectually?
2. Observe Carefully
Spend time with the art. Note not just what you see, but what you feel. Ask:
What’s the mood or atmosphere?
Who or what is depicted?
What colors, textures, shapes dominate?
What’s happening just outside the frame?
What’s the story?
3. Free Write
Jot down impressions, emotions, questions, or narrative ideas. Let your imagination roam. You’re not limited to what the artwork “says”—you’re free to invent, interpret, and extend.
4. Decide on Your Approach
Your poem can take many forms:
Descriptive: A detailed rendering of the visual experience.
Narrative: Telling a story inspired by the artwork.
Persona/Voice: Writing from the perspective of a subject in the art.
Dialogue: A conversation with the artist or artwork.
Reflective: Exploring personal memory or emotion the artwork evokes.
5. Write, Revise, Reflect
Write a first draft without overthinking. Then refine. Consider structure, sound, imagery, and tone. Aim to balance your voice with the spirit of the artwork, allowing them to echo one another in creative harmony.
Examples of Ekphrasis in Poetry
Here are a few iconic poems that exemplify ekphrastic brilliance:
“Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats – Contemplates beauty, time, and truth inspired by an ancient urn.
“Musée des Beaux Arts” by W.H. Auden – Reflects on suffering while observing Bruegel’s painting “The Fall of Icarus.”
“Self-Portrait” by Adam Zagajewski – A poetic response to Rembrandt’s self-portrait, exploring mortality and the inner self.
“Archaic Torso of Apollo” by Rainer Maria Rilke – Ends with the unforgettable line, “You must change your life,” illustrating how art transforms the viewer.
Ekphrasis as Meditation
In many ways, ekphrasis is a mindfulness practice. It requires stillness, presence, and sensitivity. Like meditation, it’s a form of attention—sustained, curious, and open. Writing ekphrastic poetry helps us slow down and experience art not as passive consumers but as engaged participants.
This is especially powerful in an age where we scroll past images in seconds. Ekphrasis invites us to linger, to absorb, to reflect—to let art seep into the soul and speak in unexpected ways.
Ekphrasis Beyond the Gallery
Ekphrasis isn’t limited to traditional fine art. You might write about:
A graffiti wall in your city
A fashion photograph
An album cover
A film still
A family portrait
Even an object you carry in your pocket every day
Anything visual can become a doorway to poetic expression.
Prompts to Get You Started
Look at a famous painting (e.g., Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” or Frida Kahlo’s “The Two Fridas”). Write a poem in the voice of a character within it.
Visit a local museum. Choose a piece that you wouldn’t normally be drawn to. Let it surprise you.
Write a love poem inspired by a sculpture.
Use an old black-and-white photo as a springboard for a poem about memory.
Imagine a dialogue between you and a self-portrait. What would the subject say back to you?
A Poetic Dialogue Across Mediums
Ekphrastic poetry is not simply the act of looking—it’s the art of seeing deeply, of engaging creatively, of turning silence into speech. When we write in response to visual art, we step into a timeless conversation with artists across history and across forms.
We listen.
We feel.
We respond.
And in doing so, we keep the artwork alive—not just in the gallery or museum, but in language, in story, and in the vibrant, transformative space between vision and voice.
