hommage

Hommage is a term used in arts and culture to designate a tribute or gesture of respect toward a person, group, or earlier work. In its broadest sense, an homage is a creative act that acknowledges influence and pays respect without claiming direct ownership. It can take many forms, from a literal reference to a person or work to a more diffuse stylistic nod or reworking of themes.

The word comes from French, where homage originally referred to feudal allegiance or ceremonial recognition owed to a lord. In English, "homage" is the loanword used to describe a tribute in art, while "hommage" with the French spelling is occasionally used to emphasise its French origin and artistic nuance.

In practice, an homage may appear as: a scene or motif that explicitly evokes a well-known work; a character's demeanor or setting that mirrors an influence; a musical quotation or visual motif; or a complete pastiche that invites comparison with the source. Distinctions are often fluid; some works are described as homages rather than parodies or plagiarisms, depending on intention and reception.

Critics and scholars sometimes discuss homages in terms of originality, sincerity, and cultural dialogue. When well executed, they can illuminate influences and extend a tradition; when derivative, they may be viewed as lacking innovation.