Aesthetic Themes in Pagan and Christian Neoplatonism: From Plotinus to Gregory of Nyssa

Description

Whilst aesthetics as a discipline did not exist before the modern age, ancient philosophers give many insights about beauty and art. In Late Antiquity Plotinus confronted the problem of beauty and the value of the arts. Plotinus’ reflections have an important role in the development of the concept of the value of artistic imagination during the Renaissance and the Romantic era, but he also influenced the artistic taste of his time. Aesthetic Themes in Pagan and Christian Neoplatonism reconstructs the aesthetic philosophical views of Late Antiquity, and their relation to artistic production of the time. By examining the resonance of Plotinus’ thought with contemporary artists and with Christian thinkers, including Gregory of Nyssa, the book demonstrates the importance of Plotinus’ treatise On Beauty for the development of late ancient aesthetics. The Cappadocian fathers’ interest in Plotinus is explored, as well as the consequent legacy of the pagan thinker’s philosophy within Christian thought, such as the concept of beauty and the narration of the contemplative experience. Uniquely utilising philological and philosophical insight, as well as exploring both pagan and Christian philosophy, Aesthetic Themes in Pagan and Christian Neoplatonism represents the first comprehensive synthesis of aesthetic thought of Late Antiquity. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Illustrations Foreword Preface Introduction: The Heritage of Classicism in Late Antiquity The issue of the portrait Plato and Aristotle on mimetic art Late antique aesthetics in this book 1. Rhetoric and Aesthetics in Plotinus The expressive purpose of the metaphor in Plotinus The anamnestic and anagogic role of art Plotinus’ view on the world through a metaphor of art 2. Philosophy and Culture of Gregory of Nyssa The impact of philosophy on Christianity Christianity and the Platonic tradition The Platonic tradition in Gregory of Nyssa Elements of Gregory of Nyssa’s aesthetic reflection 3. Sculpting and Painting Between Metaphor and Didacticism A metaphor of sculpting in Plotinus A metaphor of sculpting in Gregory of Nyssa Justification of the didactic use of painting Basil and Gregory of Nyssa on the silent voice of painting An appendix on an unresolved issue: Michelangelo, the metaphor of sculpting and Plotinus 4. Gold and Light The beauty of what is not compounded The issue of good proportion Stylistic trends in the art of late antiquity Plotinus’ view on good proportion in Basil and Gregory of Nyssa 5. The Paradoxes of Beauty The emotions of love in Plotinus Beauty and Eros A list of emotions The paradox of divine beauty Beauty, love and fear Conclusion: Aesthetics and the Ineffable Beauty Note Bibliography Acknowledgements Index