Philosophical and Art Criticism Analysis of the Notre-Dame-Du-Haut Temple in Ronchamp

Abstract

The XX century showed how fragile and changeable the environment of human existence is. Transformations took place in all spheres of life, but especially interesting is the reflection of changes in art, namely in the cult architecture of Western Europe. Through the method of philosophical and art criticism analysis, which consists in a step-by-step examination of the work in its material, index and iconic aspects, the structure designed and built by the architect Le Corbusier Notre-Dame du Haut in Ronchamp was studied. Based on this method, the deep content of the work of art was revealed, many visual concepts were identified, for example, such as: embeddedness in nature, light as a sign of the Divine principle, the connection of man with the divine through the double altar of the temple, the co-presence of the principles, saving faith, transformation and transfiguration, transition, connection and (or) fusion of the principles, purification, human aspirations, the descent of the divine, the ascent of the human. In addition, during the research, the main artistic idea of the work was revealed, which was designated as the establishment of harmony. It is realized in relation to the temple and nature through the signs of water, light and in the likening of the forms of the structure to the hill. In another aspect, the establishment of harmony is manifested at a deeper level of the relationship between man and the Divine. In interaction, a person achieves inner spiritual results, going beyond himself and correlating with the Higher. In other words, harmony is established through the descent of the Divine and the reverse ascent of man into the higher space, while additionally linking earthly existence. Thus, the highlighted visual concepts clearly show how a non-religious person Le Corbusier in his creation achieves an important attitude to the world for a believer.