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Loading... Art and Beauty in the Middle Agesby Umberto Eco
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. 2/26/22 Topic: Medieval aesthetics Question: Was there a theory of aesthetics in the Middle Ages, and what was it? Thesis: Medieval people did have a theory of aesthetics, which is so different from ours that many modern scholars haven't been able to see it. This theory can tell us a lot about the medieval world, and help us understand modern aesthetics better. Argument: Traces the development of medieval theories of aesthetics as expressed by philosophers throughout the Middle Ages. Philosophy didn't quite keep up with what was actually happening. All in all, medieval aesthetics were concerned with the didactic and formal aspects of art, and only late in the Middle Ages did philosophy catch up with the ideas of artistic inspiration and the power of the artist that were already present in poetry and beginning to be seen in visual art. Medieval aesthetics were very different from modern aesthetics, but that doesn't mean that we should discount them: just because we don't think allegory is beautiful doesn't mean that we should think any less of them because they did find allegory beautiful. Medievals valued intellectual achievements over material ones, so artist themselves weren't particularly valued in the Middle Ages. They saw external beauty as a reflection of internal beauty, and ultimately saw art as a reflection of God's goodness. Evidence: primarily philosophical writing, with some references to medieval works of art Bias/Stance: surprisingly Annalist - looking at the long duree and the history of a mentalitee; taking the Middle Ages on its own terms instead of judging the Middle Ages by modern standards Critique: any time a book this short covers a period so long, there are going to be quibbles State of the Question: This must have been a turning point, and Eco's approach is very sensitive for the time. It is still considered a classic, and must be a big influence on people like Camille. Personal reaction: I'm really not a philosopher, so a lot of the philosophical intricacies were lost on me. Still, very readable and very enjoyable and enlightening. no reviews | add a review
In this authoritative, lively book, the celebrated Italian novelist and philosopher Umberto Eco presents a learned summary of medieval aesthetic ideas. Juxtaposing theology and science, poetry and mysticism, Eco explores the relationship that existed between the aesthetic theories and the artistic experience and practice of medieval culture. -- Publisher's website. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)709The arts Modified subdivisions of the arts History, geographic treatment, biographyLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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