Paragone (Italian: paragone, meaning comparison), was a debate during the Italian Renaissance in which painting and sculpture (and to a degree, architecture) were each championed as forms of art superior and distinct to each other.[1] While other art forms, such as architecture and poetry existed in the context of the debate, painting and sculpture were the primary focus of the debate.[2][3][1]
The debate extended beyond the fifteenth century and even influences the discussion and interpretation of artworks that may or may not have been influenced by the debate itself.[4]
A comparable question, generally posed less competitively, was known as ut pictura poesis (a quote from Horace), comparing the qualities of painting and poetry.[5]
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).