Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

The Philosophy of Death in Existentialist Thought and Its Manifestation in Modern and Contemporary Painting

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mani Eslamnejad 1
Seyed Sadegh Zamani 2
Seyed Rahmatollah Mousavi Moghaddam 3
1 Department of philosophy of Art Sanandaj branch of Islamic Azad University. Sanandaj. Iran.
2 Department of Philosophy of Art, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
3 Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
10.22034/ias.2024.405486.2248
Abstract
Subject matter constitutes one of the key elements of painting. Throughout history, artists have selected diverse themes for their works. While earlier centuries prioritized spiritual and romantic themes, modern eras shifted focus toward humanity’s social struggles. This evolution gave rise to artistic movements and works that sought meaning and solace amidst the "death machine" claiming countless lives daily. However, recent centuries—particularly through the lens of existentialist philosophers—have re-conceptualized death, no longer framing it as life’s terminal point but as a phenomenon imbued with new significance. Modern artists, in turn, have reflected this re-conception in their works. This study employs historical, analytical, and library research methods to investigate the philosophy of death according to existentialist thinkers, and its manifestations in modern and contemporary painting (with emphasis on Picasso’s oeuvre).
Research Objectives:
1.     To analyze the existentialist philosophy of death and its attributed meaning.
2.     To examine the reflection of existentialist death philosophy in modern painting.
Research Questions:
1.     How do existentialist philosophers interpret the meaning and philosophy of death?
2.     How has existentialist philosophy influenced modern painting’s treatment of death and life’s meaning?
Keywords
Philosophy of death
existentialism
modern painting
contemporary painting

Subjects

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