Remaking an Ancient Theory into a Modern Thought

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Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 古代理論を近代思想に仕立て直す
  • 古代理論を近代思想に仕立て直す : ジローラモ・メーイの芸術体系論
  • コダイ リロン オ キンダイ シソウ ニ シタテ ナオス : ジローラモ ・ メーイ ノ ゲイジュツ タイケイロン
  • Girolamo Mei’s System of the Arts
  • ジローラモ・メーイの芸術体系論

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Description

In his letter to Pier Vettori written in 1560, Girolamo Mei gives a classification of the arts in a pedigree-like diagram. It is a coherent system that contains, mutatis mutandis, painting, sculpture, poetry, music and dance, resembling, or surpassing, that of Charles Batteux. While this prima facie appears to be a mere graphic representation of Aristotle’s discussion of the three means of poetry and their combinations in the Poetics, Mei supplements it with modern theories and practices of art such as chiaroscuro and casting. He is not merely elucidating Aristotle’s thought in a purely scholarly manner, but presenting his reader(s) with a clear, complete picture of what the ancient theory is about, in a form easy to understand and ready to use. Such an orientation is also found in his description of ancient tragedy as an entirely musical drama, sung from beginning to end, and in his interpretation of the ancient theory of the modes, based on which he criticized his contemporaneous practice of polyphonic music. Yet, ancient theories are for him not so much raw material (pace Palisca) for a new product, as an old garment to be remade for a new use, utilizing as much part untouched as possible.

Journal

  • Aesthetics

    Aesthetics 69 (1), 13-, 2018

    The Japanese Society for Aesthetics

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