On the formation of Walter Pater world view and creative method. Part 2. Intellectual and poetical sources of the essay «Diaphanéité»

Abstract

The article is a continuation of a study of the outlook and method of Victorian art critic and writer Walter Pater (1839–1894) through the detailed analysis of his early essay «Diaphanéité». It is done by addressing few major themes: Pater's relationship to German intellectual tradition, Pater and contemporary religious discussions, Pater's relationship to Pre-Raphaelitism, Pater and revolution. The complexity of essay's genre identification is explained specifying possible philosophical, historical and literary sources, which played an important role in shaping Pater’s creative concept. Refs 14.