Philosophy: The Ethics and The Aesthetics
Project Abstract
Through investigating theories of the sublime discussed by Immanuel Kant , I will attempt to demonstrate an early emergence of the sublime in art by presenting The Garden of Earthly Delights, by Hieronymus Bosch.
Due to the fact that Bosch’s life and work existed during the Northern High Renaissance Era, before the profound philosophical account on sublimity by Kant in the 18th century, I will also provide supporting modern works by Salvador Dali and Barnett Newman with a supporting philosophical account on the post-modern sublime, by Jean-Francois Lyotard. The post-modern perspective and artistic movements of this time period will help to bridge the gap between the Renaissance and early theories on sublimity conceived through the art world by considering it’s 20th century interpretations. This brief survey of post-modernism will also reinforce the sublimity of Bosch’s Garden triptych as well as his ‘early’ emergence in the philosophical sublime in regards to the historical context.