Abbilder

Abbilder is the plural form of Abbild, a German noun that denotes an image, likeness, or representation of a subject such as a person, object, or scene. In everyday language Abbilder refers to depictions, portraits, or replicas. In scholarly and publishing contexts, the related term Abbildungen is commonly used for illustrations or figures in texts.

Etymology and terminology: Abbild comes from the verb abbilden, meaning to depict or mirror. Abbildung can refer to the act or result of depicting, or to an individual illustration or figure within a document. The noun Abbild emphasizes the relationship of likeness between the image and its subject, while Abbildung often denotes the illustrated item itself or a labeled figure in a work. The plural Abbilder covers multiple representations.

Philosophical and historical usage: In German philosophy and aesthetics, Abbild has been used to discuss representation, mimesis, and the connection between image and reality. Some writers treat Abbild as a copy or mirror of the subject, while others use it more broadly for any image that stands in for something else. The term is sometimes contrasted with Bild, which can carry broader or more dynamic connotations of image-making and symbolic meaning.

Modern usage: In art history, curatorial practice, and publishing, Abbildungen are the standard term for figures and illustrated plates. In digital or technical contexts, Abbildung remains common when referring to a depicted diagram or image within a document, while Bild dateien and other terms are also used for media files.

See also: Abbild, Abbildung, Bild, Repräsentation, Mimesis.