ART AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT

The Meaning and Relations of Sculpture, Painting, Poetry and Music

A Handbook of Eight Lectures By EDWARD HOWARD GRIGGS

NEW YORK B. W. HUEBSCH 1908

Copyright, 1908 BY Edward Howard Griggs

“I believe in God, Mozart, and Beethoven, and in their disciples and apostles; I believe in the Holy Ghost and the truth of Art—one and indivisible; I believe that this art proceeds from God and dwells in the hearts of all enlightened men; I believe that whoever has revelled in the glorious joys of this high art must be forever devoted to it and can never repudiate it; I believe that all may become blessed through this art, and that therefore it is permitted to any one to die of hunger for its sake; I believe that I shall become most happy through death; I believe that I have been on earth a discordant chord, that shall be made harmonious and clear by death. I believe in a last judgment, that shall fearfully damn all those who have dared on this earth to make profit out of this chaste and holy art—who have disgraced it and dishonored it through badness of heart and the coarse instincts of sensuality; I believe that such men will be condemned to hear their own music through all eternity. I believe, on the other hand, that the true disciples of pure art will be glorified in a divine atmosphere of sun-illumined, fragrant concords, and united eternally with the divine source of all harmony. And may a merciful lot be granted me! Amen!”

—Wagner, in “An End in Paris,” Art Life and Theories, p. 90.

INDEX

PAGE

Note: Spirit of the Course 7

1. The Expression and Interpretation of Human Life in Art 9

2. The Primitive Sources of Art 14

3. The Race, the Epoch and the Individual in Art 19

4. The Meaning and Function of Sculpture and Painting 24

5. The Meaning and Function of Music 29

6. The Meaning and Function of Poetry 35

7. Literature and Liberal Culture 40

8. Beauty and the Culture of the Spirit 45

Suggestions to Students 50

Book List 51