Analyzing the Aesthetics of the Sublime from a Perennialist Perspective

Kianian, Majid

doi:10.22034/rph.2025.2044428.1081

Analyzing the Aesthetics of the Sublime from a Perennialist Perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Majid Kianian

PhD Candidate of Wisdom of Religious Arts, Faculty of Religion and Art, Qom, Iran.

10.22034/rph.2025.2044428.1081

Abstract

The issue of the Sublime as a perfect, transformative and astonishing situation of glory and greatness is a category that has not been paid much attention and analysis in the aesthetic field of art in the studies of traditional arts [oriental arts], and in the few studies that have been conducted, more attention is paid to its glorious aspect. Therefore, the present study intends to analyze the nature and quality of this concept in the field of art from a perennialism perspective by presenting an image of the aesthetics of the manifestation of the sublime through the lens of modern art theories. As is clear from the title of the research, the theoretical approach of the discussion is derived from the opinions of perennialists such as Schwan, Burckhardt, Nasr, Lings and other theoreticians in this field, and the method of this research is analytical and argumentative. In fact, the goal is to be able to present a discussion of what, how and how this concept is manifested in the perennialist way of analysis. The findings of the study are indicative of the fact that if, in order to understand the sublime, specifically through the lens of traditional arts, one goes to the central concepts such as the sacred, art and sacred beauty, and approaches this concept in such a discourse framework; This proposition can be reached that, contrary to the modern one-dimensional (in most cases subjective) awe-oriented view of the sublime, the sacred reading of this concept, in the multi-dimensional and universal objective context of sacred art, and with the Qur'an as the fundamental realm of Islamic art and beauty , if it has glory and wonder in its foundation, but it cannot be devoid of beauty. Because, basically, the sacred sublime matter cannot achieve its main purpose if it is limited and exclusive only to the divine glory in the modern understanding of it. Based on this view, due to the practicality and purpose of sacred art, it is even possible to justify and interpret the status of annihilation in mysticism, as otherwise there would be no attraction that would lead to the path.

Keywords

Sublime

perennialism

aesthetics

sacred matter

sacred art

amazement

beauty

Subjects

The Wisdom of Islamic Art

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