Transcript Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory

Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
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Benedetto Croce
– 1866-1952 ~ lived most of life in Naples
– Influenced by G.W.F. Hegel (1770-1831)
& Giambatista Vico (1668-1774)
– Anti-fascist during the war
– Most important work: Aesthetic: As
Science of Expression and General
Linguistic, published in 1902
Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 1
Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
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A sketch of his theory -- see Lyas, the 2nd
part of chapter 3 (pp. 66 ff.) & chapter 5.
– The epistemological background
» Kantian
 All knowing transforms the chaos
of experience
Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 2
Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
Two kinds of knowing
 Intuition - involved imagination
& produces images
 Logical - involves intellect &
produces concepts
– Works of art - put order into
experiences via intuition
– Art objects are merely vehicles for
communicating these intuitions
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Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 3
Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
– The artist in the process of creating a
work of art searches for the right
colors, lines, & composition in order to
impose order on the world (Lyas 70).
– Thus notice that Croce’s theory of art
is closely tied to his epistemology.
Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 4
Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
– There is no difference in kind between
ordinary, everyday intuitions & the
creation of art objects. It is only a
matter of degree (Lyas 102).
» The advantage of this part of the
theory is that it helps us to accept as
art works created for religious or
utilitarian purposes (pottery, African
masks, etc.).
Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 5
Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
– Where is the work of art?
» Entirely internal (in the human
psyche). What we call the external
work of art is never the real work of
art (Lyas 75).
Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 6
Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
– Evaluating art
» Good art expresses something
common to all humanity.
» Great artists express emotions in
such a way that they can be shared
by all of humanity.
Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 7
Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
– Critical evaluation
» Weaknesses
 Too inclusive?
 All made things are art (Lyas
103-104).
 Too internalist? Minimizes the
value of the art object. Is it not
possible for art objects to take on
a life of their own?
Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 8
Benedetto Croce’s expressionist theory
– Critical evaluation
» Advantages
 Obliterates the distinction
between high & low art
 Takes away the distinction
between art & craft
 Allows us to accept as art objects
like Duccio’s Maesta & Homer’s
Iliad
Croce's expressionist theory ~ slide 9