Art and Beauty in the Middle AgesIn 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. "[A] delightful study. . . . [Eco's] remarkably lucid and readable essay is full of contemporary relevance and informed by the energies of a man in love with his subject." --Robert Taylor, Boston Globe "The book lays out so many exciting ideas and interesting facts that readers will find it gripping." --Washington Post Book World "A lively introduction to the subject." --Michael Camille, The Burlington Magazine "If you want to become acquainted with medieval aesthetics, you will not find a more scrupulously researched, better written (or better translated), intelligent and illuminating introduction than Eco's short volume." --D. C. Barrett, Art Monthly |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 1 |
The Medieval Aesthetic Sensibility | 4 |
Transcendental Beauty | 17 |
The Aesthetics of Proportion | 28 |
The Aesthetics of Light | 43 |
Symbol and Allegory | 52 |
Aesthetic Perception | 65 |
The Aesthetics of the Organism | 74 |
Development and Decline of the Aesthetics of the Organism | 84 |
Theories of | 92 |
Inspiration and the Status of Art | 105 |
Conclusion | 116 |
| 120 | |
| 130 | |
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Common terms and phrases
aesthetic experience aesthetic theory Alan of Lille Albertus allegorical Anima Aquinas's Aristotelian artistic Augustine body Boethius Bonaventure Carolingian chap clarity Classical colour concept of proportion conception of art conception of beauty concrete contemplation creative delight developed divine edited Erwin Panofsky essence expressed figurative arts Grosseteste harmony Honorius of Autun Hugh of St Huizinga human hylomorphism I-II idea imagination integrated intellectual interpretation intuition Jean de Meun kind l'art Libri Carolini light London Maritain mathematical meaning medieval aesthetics medieval theory Middle Ages mind moral mysticism nature nowadays object ontological organic Paris perfection philosophy Platonic pleasure poetic poetry poets principle problems referred relation Renaissance Scholastic Scholasticism sense sensibility sensuous soul splendour substance substantial form Suger Summa theory of art things thirteenth century Thomas Aquinas Thomistic tion tradition transcendental translated twelfth century Victor Vincent of Beauvais vision vols William of Conches Witelo wrote