The Philosophy of Fine Art, volume 2 (of 4): Hegel's AesthetikHegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich
Philosophy
The Philosophy of Fine Art, volume 2 (of 4): Hegel's Aesthetik
Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich
Aesthetics
THE PHILOSOPHY OF
FINE ART
BY
G. W. F. HEGEL
TRANSLATED, WITH NOTES, BY
F. P. B. OSMASTON, B.A.
AUTHOR OF "THE ART AND GENIUS OF TINTORET," "AN ESSAY
ON THE FUTURE OF POETRY," AND OTHER WORKS
VOL II
CONTENTS OF VOL. II
SECOND PART
INTRODUCTION
[Evolution of the Ideal in the Particular Types of Fine Art,
namely, the Symbolic, the Classical, and the Romantic.
Symbolic Art seeks after that unity of ideal significance
and external form, which Classical art in its representation
of substantive individuality succeeds in securing to
sensuous perception, and which Romantic art passes
beyond, owing to its excessive insistence on the claims
of Spirit]
SUBSECTION I
THE SYMBOLIC TYPE OF ART
INTRODUCTION
OF THE SYMBOL GENERALLY
[1. Symbol as a sign simply in language, colours, etc. 8
2. Not a mere sign to represent something else, but a
significant fact which presents the idea or quality it
symbolizes 9
3. Thing symbolized must have other qualities than that
accepted as symbol. Term symbol necessarily open
to ambiguity 10
(_a_) Ambiguity in particular case whether the concrete
fact _is_ set before us as a symbol. Difference between
a symbol and a simile. Illustrations 10
(_b_) Ambiguity extends to-entire worlds of Art, _e.g_,
Oriental art. Two theories with regard to mythos
discussed and contrasted 14
(_c_) The problems of mythology in the present treatise
limited to the question, "How far symbolism is
entitled to rank as a form of Art?" Will only
consider symbol in so far as it belongs to Art in its
own right and itself proceeds from the notion of
the Ideal, the unfolding of which it commences] 19
DIVISION OF SUBJECT
[1. The artistic consciousness originates in wonder. The
effects that result from such a state. Art the first interpreter
of the religious consciousness. Conceptions
envisaged in plastic forms of natural objects 23
2. The final aim of symbolic art is classical art. Here it
is dissolved. The Sublime lies between the two extremes 26
3. The stages of symbolical art classified according to
their subdivisions in the chapters of this. Second Part
of the entire treatise] 29
CHAPTER I
UNCONSCIOUS SYMBOLISM
A. Unity of Significance and Form in its immediacy 36
1. The religion of Zoroaster 37
2. No true symbolical significance in the above 42
3. Equally destitute of an artistic character 44
B. Fantastic Symbolism 47
1. The Hindoo conception of Brahmâ 50
2. Sensuousness, measurelessness, and personifying
activity of Hindoo imagination 51
3. Conception of purification and penance 64
C. Genuine Symbolism 65
1. Nature no longer accepted in its immediate sensuous
existence as adequate to the significance. Art
and general outlook of ancient Egypt 75
[(_a_) The inward import held independent of immediate
existence in the embalmed corpse 76
(_b_) Doctrine of immortality of the soul as held by
Egyptians 76
(_c_) Superterranean and subterranean modes of
Egyptian art. The Pyramids] 77
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