Germanic and Classical Romanic Style

Abstract

Here, Simmel argues that everything belonging to a particular civilization or national life evokes a common tone or character. He calls this the 'style of the age' or the '.style of a people'. Simmel goes on to claim that whereas Italian art gives the overall impression of generalized stylization in the presentation of form in the appearance of life. in Germanic art. of which Rembrandt's art can be viewed as the highest embodiment and expression, style is expressed by presenting life through the appearance of form. In Germanie art, Simmel claims, a general form and stylization would be meaningless because it seeks to express an individuality stemming from life itself, in which life forms itself wholly from within Simmel concludes that whereas life among 'Romanic peoples' finds its guiding idea in formal perfection. in Germanic peoplies' it finds it in the laws of inner forces springing from the reservoirs of the individual life.