  We analytically show that it is possible to perform coherent imaging by using
the classical correlation of two beams obtained by splitting incoherent thermal
radiation. A formal analogy is demonstrated between two such classically
correlated beams and two entangled beams produced by parametric
down-conversion. Because of this analogy, the classical beams can mimic
qualitatively all the imaging properties of the entangled beams, even in ways
which up to now were not believed possible. A key feature is that these
classical beams are spatially correlated both in the near-field and in the
far-field. Using realistic numerical simulations the performances of a
quasi-thermal and a parametric down-conversion source are shown to be closely
similar, both for what concerns the resolution and statistical properties. The
results of this paper provide a new scenario for the discussion of what role
the entanglement plays in correlated imaging.
