Oxford University Press eBooks· 2013
The Experience of Beauty in the Middle Ages
- 348citations
- 2013year
Short summary
This book proposes a new framework for understanding medieval aesthetic values, grounding them in sensory and emotional experiences rather than solely symbolism or theology.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Medieval aesthetic values are rooted in sensory and emotional experiences.
- Appreciation for beauty includes elements of play, craftsmanship, puzzles, and contrasts.
- Stylistic values like variety and sweetness are linked to biological theories of change.
- This approach contrasts with interpretations based solely on symbolism and theology.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Abstract This book articulates a new approach to medieval aesthetic values, emphasizing the sensory and emotional basis of all medieval arts, the love of play and fine craftsmanship, of puzzles, and of strong contrasts. This book offers an understanding of medieval literature and art that is rooted in the perceptions and feelings of ordinary life, made up of play and laughter as well as serious work. Medieval stylistic values of variety, sweetness, good taste, and ordinary beauty are grounded in classical and medieval biological theories of change and flux in the human body, not only in symbolism and theology.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Oxford University Press eBooks, 2013 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Classics
ClassicsArts and Humanities