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From the Sublime and Beautiful to American Independence: A Transformative Journey through Aesthetics and Revolution

Felix Hayes

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Published in The Intellectual Life Of Edmund Burke: From The Sublime And Beautiful To American Independence

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The American Revolution was a pivotal event that shaped the course of human history. But beyond the political and military struggles, there was a profound transformation taking place within the realm of aesthetics. The ideas of the sublime and the beautiful, which had dominated European thought for centuries, played a crucial role in shaping the American identity and ultimately leading to independence.

The Intellectual Life of Edmund Burke: From the Sublime and Beautiful to American Independence

by David Bromwich

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4203 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	513 pages

The Sublime in Nature and American Landscape Painting:

A Vast And Majestic Landscape With Towering Mountains, Turbulent Skies, And A Lone Figure In The Foreground. The Intellectual Life Of Edmund Burke: From The Sublime And Beautiful To American Independence

The concept of the sublime emerged in the late 17th century, describing feelings of awe, grandeur, and terror inspired by nature's vastness and power. American landscape painters eagerly embraced this aesthetic, believing that the wilderness of the New World embodied the sublime in its raw and untamed form. Artists such as Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, and Albert Bierstadt painted awe-inspiring scenes of rugged mountains, cascading waterfalls, and boundless forests, evoking a sense of wonder and insignificance in the face of nature's majesty.

The Beautiful in Architecture and the Creation of a National Style:

A Grand Building With White Columns, A Symmetrical Facade, And A Triangular Pediment. The Intellectual Life Of Edmund Burke: From The Sublime And Beautiful To American Independence — **Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, Virginia, 1798.**

While the sublime found expression in the untamed landscapes, the beautiful manifested itself in the architecture of the new republic. Inspired by the ideals of classical Greece and Rome, American architects sought to create a national style that embodied the values of harmony, balance, and elegance. Buildings such as Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and the Virginia State Capitol reflected the influence of neoclassical architecture, with their symmetrical facades, white columns, and triangular pediments. These structures symbolized the Free Download and rationality that Americans hoped to establish in their new nation.

The Beautiful in Literature and the Birth of an American Voice:

The influence of aesthetics extended beyond visual arts and into the realm of literature. American writers embraced the idea of the beautiful as a guiding principle for their writing. Authors such as Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and Nathaniel Hawthorne created works that celebrated the natural beauty of the American landscape and explored themes of love, loss, and the human experience. Their writings helped to establish a uniquely American voice in literature, distinct from European influences.

The Sublime in Music and Revolutionary Anthems:

Music also played a powerful role in the American Revolution. The sublime found expression in the stirring anthems and hymns that rallied the colonists to arms. Songs such as "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" evoked feelings of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice. The beautiful manifested itself in the music of Francis Hopkinson, the first American composer, who wrote songs and hymns that celebrated the new nation.

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The journey from the sublime and beautiful to American independence is a fascinating and complex one. Through their engagement with aesthetics, Americans forged a unique national identity that embraced both the grandeur of nature and the pursuit of harmony and Free Download. The ideas of the sublime and the beautiful permeated every aspect of American culture, from art and architecture to literature and music, creating a powerful force that propelled the nation towards independence and beyond.

The Intellectual Life of Edmund Burke: From the Sublime and Beautiful to American Independence

by David Bromwich

4.5 out of 5