imagistische

Imagistische, in English generally rendered as Imagism or imagist, refers to a modernist poetry movement of the early 20th century that sought to restore clarity and emphasis on concrete image over abstract rhetoric. The movement emerged in Britain and the United States around 1912–1914 and was publicized through journals and anthologies, including the anthology Des Imagistes (1914) and various manifestos.

The central aim of imagist poetry was to present precise, clear images that conveyed meaning directly, often in plain, unadorned language. Poets emphasized direct treatment of subjects, economy of words, and the crystallization of an experience into a single moment or sequence of images. Many imagist poems favored short lines, terse syntax, and careful attention to sound and rhythm, while sometimes employing free verse to enhance immediacy.

Key figures associated with the movement include Ezra Pound, H. D. (Hilda Doolittle), Richard Aldington, and F. S. Flint, who helped articulate its principles through manifestos and poems. Amy Lowell later played a crucial role in promoting imagist poetry in the United States, organize collections and readings that broadened its influence. The movement did not form a rigid school but rather a loosely connected group united by shared priorities for imagery, precision, and concision.

Impact and legacy: Imagism influenced subsequent modernist poets, contributing to a broader shift toward concise, image-driven writing in English-language poetry. Its emphasis on immediacy and visual detail helped pave the way for later movements that valued direct presentation and pared-down form, even as critics debated the balance between image, suggestion, and musicality in poetry.