Humanist Iconoclasts?
Were there Humanist iconoclasts? It seems plausible, given the interest in Platonism and Neoplatonism among Humanists. And here’s a quotation from the Humanist Vives: “If that very picture which we are gazing at, is obscene, does that not contaminate our minds, especially if it be subtly and artistically depicted? Not undeservedly did wise men wish to banish from the state such artists together with their pictures.” Zwingli might be another connection point of Humanism and iconoclasm, as might Calvin. That would make for an interesting complication: Instead of a simple artistic Renaissance-iconoclastic Reformation duality, you have iconoclastic humaists.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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