Backphrastic

Of or relating to a poem or text for which a visual artwork is later found, selected, or imposed to correspond with it; the reverse of ekphrasis.
Describing a creative process in which language precedes and determines the interpretation or selection of an image.

“The pairing felt backphrastic—the painting seemed chosen to echo the poem’s mood rather than inspire it.”
“In his latest collection, each poem is backphrastic, matched with a photograph found months after the writing.”
“The exhibit reverses tradition: instead of ekphrastic verse, it presents backphrastic alignments of text and image.”

by Poet’s Husband March 18, 2026