Khrenov, N. A. Between the Linear Principle and the Cyclic Principle: Art History From the Point of View of Pitirim Sorokin’s Social Dynamics

Abstract: The article touches upon one of the most topical issues in the methodology of art history. The absolute priority given in the history research to the linear principle which genesis goes back to the age of Enlightenment has made art historians to pay more attention to certain periods while leaving other periods without adequate interpretations. This, above all, refers to the period of the archaic ancient art, medieval art and Byzantine art. In the latter case art is perceived as declining and not demonstrating complete or definite artwork as it seemed. This is the reason why those periods in art history were rarely studied. As the science that was formed in the age of Enlightenment, esthetics took the exclusive Renaissance art as the starting point in the art development. The same situation had continued until historians discovered the alternative principle in the historical process, in particular, the cyclic principle the present article is devoted to. Even though the interest towards that principle already developed in the 19th century, most efficiently the principle was used in woks by the Russian scientist Pitirim Sorokin who started his academic career as a social scientist. The author of the article emphasizes the important role of Pitirim Sorokin’s major work on social and cultural dynamics in the development of the cultural science. The article shows how the Russian scientist gradually proceeded to the discovery and substantiation of the cyclic principle, how Sorokin applied the aforesaid principle to his historical research of art in his work on social and cultural dynamics has become so famous today and, most importantly, how the principle can be used to eliminate the unexplored facts (so called ‘white spots’) in art studies. In addition, Pitirim Sorokin’ work that is unparalleled anywhere in the world science allows to solve some difficulties that may arise in modern art studies. Meanwhile, when the work was first published, it was not understood or appraised as it deserved. However, the modern situation in the development of the cultural science makes Pitirim Sorokin’s work highly important.

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