zeuxishttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zeuxis_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZeuxis, n.
Revised 2018

Zeuxisnoun

  1. 1577–
    An artist likened in some way to the Greek painter Zeuxis; used esp. with reference to his skill in producing extremely lifelike pictures, or his method of selecting attributes from different models and combining them to produce a composite idealized figure.
    1. 1577
      A Painter once (that was a Zeuxis for his skill) Had children foule, deformed, blacke and of complexion ill.
      T. Kendall, translation of Politianus et al. Flowers of Epigrammes f. 56
    2. ?1614
      Desire (alas) Desire a Zeuxis new, From th' Orient borrowing Gold, from Westerne Skies Heauenly Cinabre, sets before my Eyes In euery place, her Haire, sweet looke, and Hue.
      W. Drummond, Sonnet: In vaine I haunt in Poems
    3. 1734
      Not the richest Skill of a Zeuxis or Apelles beautifying the Walls of this Fabrick, could ever supply the Absence of the Sun, or compensate the Loss of Light and Heat.
      I. Watts, Reliquiæ Juveniles xii. 47
    4. 1888
      In such a land you might well imagine that a Greek..needed only paint and brush to be a Zeuxis or a Parrhasius.
      Annual Rep. Trustees Metrop. Museum Art No. 19 421
    5. 1999
      The painting he creates is not one that would please a Zeuxis or a Protagoras.
      A. Carson, Econ. of Unlost ii. 62

Zeuxis, n. was revised in June 2018.

Zeuxis, n. was last modified in September 2024.