Obraz i cień. Dantego teoria obrazu przekształcona w teorię sztuki (przeł. Marek Śnieciński)
Image and Shadow. Dante’s theory of image as converted into a theory of art (trans. Marek Śnieciński)
Author(s): Hans Belting Subject(s): Anthropology
Published by: Instytut Badań Literackich Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Dante; Theory of image; shadow; soul; persona; Giotto; Massaccio; Michelangelo
Summary/Abstract: The present article is a chapter from Hans Belting’s book Bild-Anthropologie (München 2001). Here, the Author embarks at reconstructing a theory of picture/image proposed by Dante in his Divina Commedia. The conversations between Dante and Virgil are clearly indicative of a category-related difference between image and the body: ‘image is like a shadow’. Belting analyses in detail the ancient and mediaeval concepts of shadow, soul, persona, proving indispensable for explaining the ontological aspect of Dante’s images of death. The second section of the paper shows how artists such as Giotto, Masaccio or Michelangelo attempted at confront the theory of image proposed by the author of the Divina Commedia. He concludes with stating that the theory of ‘painting of shadows’, as described earlier, may prove extremely useful for modern theories of image and art, particularly, photography and virtual world.
Journal: Teksty Drugie
- Issue Year: 2006
- Issue No: 4
- Page Range: 135-152
- Page Count: 18
- Language: Polish