“Supplying the defaults of nature by the industry of art”: natura, ars and exercitatio in Aphra Behn’s The Dumb Virgin; or, The Force of Imagination

Abstract

Trabajo que investiga los conceptos de natura y ars a partir de The Dumb Virgin. Se deduce la consciencia creadora de la autora a partir de los conceptos de mímesis y de representación mostrando su conocimiento de teorías poéticas, así como su plasmación en este relato mediante una protagonista que siendo muda es una habilidosa pintora, complementada por su hermana que siendo deforme tiene una brillante elocuencia

It investigates the concepts of natura and ars that inform Behn’s The Dumb Virgin. It is highlighted the poet's artistic conscience, in terms of mimesis and representation, revealing the author’s knowledge of poetical theories, as well as their implementation in the story through a protagonist who, while unable to speak, is a masterful painter, further complemented by the protagonist's sister, who is deformed but eloquent