'Eckhart's Wisdom: Generation, Change, and Art'. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Whitehead, Derek
• Is Part Of: Medieval mystical theology. Volume 26:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Eckhart -- Book of Wisdom -- nature -- generation -- change -- Art; Church history -- Middle Ages, 600-1500 -- Periodicals; Mysticism -- History -- Middle Ages, 600-1500 -- Periodicals; Mysticism -- England -- History -- Periodicals; 248.2205
• DOI: 10.1080/20465726.2017.1321202
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-5726

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This essay will consider Meister Eckhart's Commentary on the Book of Wisdom in order to highlight his notions of generation and change in the eventfulness of existence, and in so doing, to attempt to bring clarity upon a created parallel, the phenomena of Art: Art's 'coming to be'. In the course of his Commentary, Eckhart speaks directly about the actions of nature and art in their wholeness, such that the final cause and purpose of existence is that what is generated should be . I suggest in the course of this essay that the Artist is also instrumental in the workings of generation and change, and that he/she substantiates repose in the completed composition of a work. Finally, I consider the Wisdom which Eckhart both implores and exemplifies as a model for contemporary thought and practice, thereby ensuring, as he says, 'the love of what generates for what is generated'.