On the Profundity of Works of Art

Abstract

In the contemplation of works of art, we feel ourselves sink into metaphysical profundity, that is, works of art have fathomless depths, which makes it possible for us to sink from the foreground of works (perceptible objects) into the background (the vitality of works). So the profundity of works is the a priori basis which joins the foreground and the background together, and it gives works of art their transcendental structure. The intention of this research is to throw light upon this transcendental structure of works of art as the problem of ontological synthesis, and to lay the foundation of the metaphysical experience which works of art give us.