Philosophy of Art

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however, the inner individuals would be those who did not live in constant succession, but often in completely separated ages. It is true that in art every part must be finished, the mediocre does not belong there; from this side, no progress is possible. But as far as the materials are concerned which the artist uses for his production, these are taken from his age, and in regard to these, an investigation into causes takes place concerning works of art, and they can be treated historically in this respect. Old and new art is indeed the same in essence, and in form; in essence, every age has its peculiarities, which can be treated historically. As far as 'b' concerns [the question of history], there also prevails in art lawfulness in the whole and freedom in the individual, as in the history of humanity. Art can never die out, and its divine genius observes its lawfulness in its revelations. Thus, for example, the new world of art followed necessarily from the old, just as an Odyssey necessarily followed the Iliad. The individuals are accidental; whether they were called Homer, Sophocles, or Aeschines,