Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

tableau-vivant

noun

/ˌtæb.loʊ.vɪˈvɑːn/

Definition

A tableau-vivant is a static scene containing one or more people posed to represent a scene from a story or history, often resembling a painting or sculpture.

Examples

The art exhibit included a tableau-vivant of famous historical moments.
At the festival, volunteers participated in a tableau-vivant that brought classic literature to life.

Meaning

The term comes from French, literally meaning ‘living picture.’ It is used to describe a performance where people freeze in poses to depict a particular scene, typically in a dramatic or artistic manner.