The aesthetic symbols of the sacral in the Ukrainian art of the XVIІ–XVIІІ centuries

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to analyze the aesthetic symbolism of the sacral in the artistic and picturesque expression of the Cossack art, where the true essence of the spiritual world of the Ukrainian Cossacks is reproduced in full. The methodology of the research consists in the application of methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization, as well as in the use of ideological and content, terminological, historical and cultural approaches. This has made it possible to reveal the peculiarities of the spirituality of the Ukrainian Cossacks, which proved capable of conveying the main thing in its artistic creativity – its syncretic essence, the unity of religious and aesthetic, expressed in the Baroque art in the form of symbols. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that in the national cultural studies it is the first attempt of the new interpretation of the content of the symbols or artistic values created by the Ukrainian Cossacks. The principles of forming the syncretic essence, the unity of religious and aesthetic, expressed in the Baroque art in the form of symbols, that are a peculiar representation of the sacred in the spiritual culture of the Ukrainian Cossacks, are characterized. Conclusion. It is proved that, while honoring Ukrainian ethno cultural traditions, recognizing the dogmatic principles of Orthodox beliefs and experiencing the artistic tendencies of the Baroque, the Ukrainian Cossacks proved capable of conveying the main thing in its artistic creativity – its syncretic essence, the unity of religious and aesthetic, expressed in Baroque art in the form of symbols. It is substantiated that the spiritual principles of the culture of the Ukrainian Cossacks in the ХVІІ–ХVІІІ centuries had a significant influence not only on artistic education and further development of the Ukrainian art, but also on the confirmation of the aesthetic symbolism of the sacral through the iconography of symbolic images and signs. Above all they are reflected on the embodied in its spiritual essence the entire complex of religious and aesthetic principles of the Ukrainian people`s culture, its moral and ethical, philosophical and value judgments and beliefs.