Posthumous

Happening or continuing after one's death. When applied to a work of art, posthumous might indicate works that are printed or cast after an artist's death, as with a posthumous edition. It might refer to works completed by others that were left unfinished at the artist's death, or to changes in thinking (art criticism or art historical re-assessments, praising or otherwise, changes in the market value, etc.) about an artist's work after the artist's death. It might also refer to a representation of a person produced by an artist after that person's death. This word is derived from the Latin word postumus, literally meaning "after the burial." The adverbial form is "posthumously."(pr. PAHS-chə-məs or PAHS-tchoo-məs)Quote: "It was well we should be contented with posthumous fame, but impossible to be so with posthumous bread and cheese." Robert Southey (1774-1843), English poet, commenting on the rewards of authorship. "I know I shall not live very long . . . . If I've painted three good pictures, then I shall leave gladly with flowers in my hand and my hair." Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907; she died at the age of 31, seven years after writing this), German Expressionist painter. Diary, 26 July 1900. See Expressionism. Also see author, fame, heritage, memorial, memory, posterity, and time.