Types of Catharsis in the Perception of Paintings

The article analyzes the functions and structure of psychological catharsis as a cultural means of meaning-making. Basing on eudemonistic understanding of catharsis, the authors show its meaning-making action. In the structure of catharsis, there are phases of excitement (pathos), concentration (‘me...

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Main Authors: Yermolayeva M.V., Lubovsky D.V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Moscow State University of Psychology and Education 2019-10-01
Series:Культурно-историческая психология
Subjects:
Online Access:http://psyjournals.ru/en/kip/2019/n3/Yermolayeva_Lubovsky.shtml
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author Yermolayeva M.V.,
Lubovsky D.V.,
author_facet Yermolayeva M.V.,
Lubovsky D.V.,
author_sort Yermolayeva M.V.,
collection DOAJ
description The article analyzes the functions and structure of psychological catharsis as a cultural means of meaning-making. Basing on eudemonistic understanding of catharsis, the authors show its meaning-making action. In the structure of catharsis, there are phases of excitement (pathos), concentration (‘merging’ with the main character), and transcendence (‘reaching beyond one’s limitations’) which, through personal reflection, concludes with the individual’s ‘return to oneself’, transformed through the encounter with the work of art. The authors consider catharsis as an event that encourages action and creates the space of opportunities for it; basing on the research of art historians, the authors describe two kinds of catharsis (in the perception of Caravaggio’s and Rembrandt’s works). The authors identify psychotechnical means of interrupting catharsis at the moment of emotional extremum (in the works of Caravaggio) and the conditions for completing the reflective catharsis with the ‘return to one’s transformed self’ (using the paintings of Rembrandt as an example). The paper concludes with an outline of further prospects of exploring catharsis as a cultural means of meaning-making.
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spelling doaj.art-9a1ba9403bc542c1a0275b3830fd84732022-12-22T00:09:21ZengMoscow State University of Psychology and EducationКультурно-историческая психология1816-54352224-89352019-10-0115312513210.17759/chp.2019150313Types of Catharsis in the Perception of PaintingsYermolayeva M.V.,0Lubovsky D.V.,1Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, RussiaMoscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, RussiaThe article analyzes the functions and structure of psychological catharsis as a cultural means of meaning-making. Basing on eudemonistic understanding of catharsis, the authors show its meaning-making action. In the structure of catharsis, there are phases of excitement (pathos), concentration (‘merging’ with the main character), and transcendence (‘reaching beyond one’s limitations’) which, through personal reflection, concludes with the individual’s ‘return to oneself’, transformed through the encounter with the work of art. The authors consider catharsis as an event that encourages action and creates the space of opportunities for it; basing on the research of art historians, the authors describe two kinds of catharsis (in the perception of Caravaggio’s and Rembrandt’s works). The authors identify psychotechnical means of interrupting catharsis at the moment of emotional extremum (in the works of Caravaggio) and the conditions for completing the reflective catharsis with the ‘return to one’s transformed self’ (using the paintings of Rembrandt as an example). The paper concludes with an outline of further prospects of exploring catharsis as a cultural means of meaning-making.http://psyjournals.ru/en/kip/2019/n3/Yermolayeva_Lubovsky.shtmlcatharsiseudemonistic interpretationphasespsychotechnical means
spellingShingle Yermolayeva M.V.,
Lubovsky D.V.,
Types of Catharsis in the Perception of Paintings
Культурно-историческая психология
catharsis
eudemonistic interpretation
phases
psychotechnical means
title Types of Catharsis in the Perception of Paintings
title_full Types of Catharsis in the Perception of Paintings
title_fullStr Types of Catharsis in the Perception of Paintings
title_full_unstemmed Types of Catharsis in the Perception of Paintings
title_short Types of Catharsis in the Perception of Paintings
title_sort types of catharsis in the perception of paintings
topic catharsis
eudemonistic interpretation
phases
psychotechnical means
url http://psyjournals.ru/en/kip/2019/n3/Yermolayeva_Lubovsky.shtml
work_keys_str_mv AT yermolayevamv typesofcatharsisintheperceptionofpaintings
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