"Droga na Górę Karmel" Świętego Jana od Krzyża jako traktat o sztuce kaznodziejskiej
'Ascent of Mount Carmel' of St John of the Cross as the Treatise on the Art of Sermons

Author(s): Maria Chodyko
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: John of the Cross; Religious art; Mystical theology; Council of Trent; Renaissance spirituality
Summary/Abstract: John of the Cross re-evaluated religious art according to the directives of the Council of Trent and implemented it within his order. In his writings, art appeared as a means of unification with God, a goal also served by artistic expression. In his doctrine, religious art should not only draw from the artist’s talent but also shape it. Furthermore, John accepted the artistic sovereignty of Western sacred art, where the artist has decisive control over style and composition, thus significantly influencing the perception of the work. He argued that art reflects individual characteristics of both the artist and the patron, showcasing subjective and arbitrary elements. Artistic freedom can sometimes conflict with theological content, a fact John accepted as axiomatic to creativity. He neither fully embraced nor criticized artistic freedom, instead illustrating its strengths and weaknesses. He included artistic representations and religious liturgies as means leading to mature faith. Overall, John of the Cross's mystical and artistic doctrine integrates the aesthetics of the soul's journey toward God, positioning himself within the broader context of Renaissance spirituality and reform movements. His work stands as a significant contribution to modern Christianity, advocating for a profound transformation through the interplay of art.

• Details
• Contents