Nachbildungen

Nachbildungen is the plural form of Nachbildung, a German noun referring to a reproduction, replica, or imitation of an original work or object. The term is used across disciplines to denote copies produced to study, preserve, present, or reinterpret the source. Etymologically, it combines nach- (after) with Bild (image).

In art, museology, archaeology, and design, Nachbildungen serve educational and preservation purposes. Museums commonly display Nachbildungen of paintings, sculptures, or artifacts when originals are too fragile, unavailable, or restricted. They can range from faithful replicas to interpretive variants and may be produced in various media, including casts, prints, photographs, or 3D prints. In architecture and urban planning, scale models function as Nachbildungen that convey spatial relationships and design concepts.

In publishing and consumer markets, Nachbildungen appear as prints, replicas, reproductions, and souvenirs. Digital technologies enable high-resolution scans, digital reproductions, and augmented or virtual representations that expand access while reducing handling of original objects. Copyright, provenance, and authenticity concerns often govern the production and sale of Nachbildungen, with ethical considerations surrounding misrepresentation and the value of originals.

Note on terminology: while Nachbilder or Nachbild are terms used for perceptual afterimages in psychology, Nachbildungen primarily refer to physical or digital copies of objects and works. The context determines whether the focus is on material reproductions, educational tools, or interpretive copies.

See also: Replik, Kopie, Fälschung, Modell, Nachbild.