Foundation of Arts and Humanities Overview

The Meaning and Importance of the Humanities

• Etymology: "Humanities" derives from the Latin humanus, meaning human, cultured, and refined.
• Historical Context: Initially focused on philosophy and theology during the medieval era due to professors' interests in metaphysics.
• Renaissance Shift: Humanists emphasized value in earthly life over medieval eternity, expanding Humanities to include classical languages, literature, fine arts, music, and diverse philosophy.
• 19th Century Changes: Humanities lost prestige as science and social sciences gained popularity, leading to a belief in science's ability to provide all human needs.
• Critical Awareness: Recognition of science's dual nature—having the potential for destruction without moral guidance necessitated renewed focus on the Humanities.
• Specialization vs. General Knowledge: Increased depth of knowledge led to specialists; educators now advocate for understanding interconnections between disciplines before specializing.
• Government Support: Establishment of a Foundation of the Arts and Humanities by the federal government aims to rejuvenate interest in these fields and combat materialism.
• Literature Emphasis: Modern literature is emphasized, alongside critical studies of philosophy, history, and arts that focus on individual rather than only social aspects.

The Artist and His Work

• Cultural Heritage: The text surveys various arts (painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature) to enhance appreciation and evaluation of cultural outputs.
• Historical Insight: Arts reflect historical thought and feelings, promoting understanding of the cultural context of a given period.
• Art Appreciation: Engaging with art provides ongoing insight, creating a dynamic understanding rather than a finished puzzle.
• Artist's Vision: Art embodies the artist's unique perspective, formed by personal experience and aesthetic choices through design, color, and form.
• Influencing Factors: An artist's work is shaped by numerous determinants, including environment, traditions, national characteristics, religious beliefs, economic conditions, and geography.

Style in Art

• Common Denominators: Each artistic period exhibits recurring themes, treatment, and emphasis that define its style, influenced by collective sentiments of its leading figures.
• Interconnectedness of Arts: Similar styles appear across different forms of art; for instance, classic elements in Racine's dramas align with Poussin's landscapes, and emotional intensity in Byron's poetry is reflected in Delacroix’s paintings and Berlioz’s music.
• Historical Influences: Style is often shaped by specific historical factors, reinforcing the relationship between cultural context and artistic expression.