A critical element in the formation of the early modern conception of art was the understanding that art was largely natural. This study examines this premise and shows for the first time the significance of the so-called occult sciences for aesthetic theory. The connection to occult images of nature helps elucidate such major questions as the role of the artist, the material process of production, and the power of imagery.

Maurice Saß, Forschungsstelle Naturbilder/Images of Nature, Universität Hamburg.