In Praise Of The Sublime: Exploring the Beauty and Grandeur of the World

There is a feeling that overwhelms us when we witness something so breathtakingly beautiful and awe-inspiring that it leaves us speechless. It is a mix of astonishment, reverence, and a deep appreciation for the wonders of the world. This feeling is known as the sublime, and it is something that has captivated humans for centuries.

In this article, we will delve into the concept of the sublime, its history, and the various forms it can take. From stunning landscapes to magnificent works of art, we will explore how the sublime has been celebrated throughout time and why it continues to fascinate us today.

Understanding the Sublime

The term "sublime" originates from a Latin word meaning "elevated" or "exalted." It refers to something that is beyond ordinary comprehension, something that transcends the everyday and evokes a sense of awe and wonder. The sublime can be found in nature, in art, and even in the sublime experiences we encounter in our daily lives.

What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking: In Praise of the Sublime

by Terry Theise(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1025 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	197 pages
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One of the key figures in shaping our understanding of the sublime is the 18th-century philosopher Immanuel Kant. According to Kant, the sublime is a concept that combines both pleasure and pain. He believed that the sublime arises when we are confronted with something so vast and overwhelming that we struggle to comprehend it fully. This cognitive strain, according to Kant, leads to a sense of awe and admiration.

The Sublime in Nature

Nature has always been a powerful source of the sublime. From towering mountains to cascading waterfalls, natural landscapes have the ability to leave us in a state of awe and wonder. The scale and grandeur of nature can be overpowering, making us feel small in comparison. Yet, it is this very feeling of insignificance that can be so profoundly moving.

Think of standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, gazing out into the vast expanse, or witnessing the raw power of a thunderstorm. These moments remind us of nature's immense power and our own mortality. They challenge our sense of control and remind us of the humbling beauty that exists beyond our grasp.

Photography has played a crucial role in capturing the sublime in nature. Photographers strive to capture these awe-inspiring landscapes, freezing them in time for others to experience. From Ansel Adams' majestic black-and-white prints of Yosemite National Park to the vibrant landscapes captured by contemporary photographers, these images allow us to witness the sublime even if we are unable to physically be present in these locations.

The Sublime in Art and Literature

The sublime has also found its place in the realm of art and literature. Artists throughout history have sought to capture the sublime in their works, aiming to evoke a sense of awe and wonder in their viewers.

One notable example is the Romantic movement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Romantic artists and writers, such as Caspar David Friedrich and William Wordsworth, sought to depict the grandeur of nature and the emotions it evoked. Their works often featured dramatic landscapes, stormy seas, and rugged mountains. These images aimed to transport the viewer or reader into a realm where the boundaries of the human and the natural world blurred, sparking a sense of the sublime.

In addition to visual art, literature has also embraced the concept of the sublime. Writers like Mary Shelley and Edgar Allan Poe incorporated elements of the sublime into their Gothic novels, using atmospheric descriptions and eerie settings to create a sense of both terror and fascination. These stories allowed readers to confront the unknown and experience a sense of awe and terror simultaneously.

The Sublime in Everyday Life

The sublime is not limited to grand landscapes or artistic expressions - it can also be found in the ordinary wonders of our daily lives. It can be experienced in moments of profound love, in the birth of a child, or in the sound of waves crashing against the shore. These everyday experiences can evoke the same feelings of awe and transcendence as those inspired by nature or art.

For example, have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt a sense of wonder at the vastness of the universe? Or have you ever been moved to tears by a piece of music that resonates with your soul? These are moments of the sublime, moments that remind us of the beauty and mystery of the world we inhabit.

The Timeless Appeal of the Sublime

So why does the concept of the sublime continue to captivate us? Perhaps it is because the sublime reminds us of our own capacity for wonder and awe. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, the sublime offers a respite, a moment of transcendence that allows us to connect with something greater than ourselves.

The sublime also serves as a reminder of the vastness and beauty that exists beyond our everyday concerns. It encourages us to step outside of our comfort zones, to venture into the unknown, and to embrace the awe-inspiring experiences that await us.

In praise of the sublime, we have explored the various ways in which this concept manifests itself in our world. From the majestic landscapes of nature to the masterpieces of art and literature, the sublime has the power to move and inspire us, to remind us of our place in the grand design of the universe.

As you go about your daily life, take a moment to appreciate the sublime moments that surround you. Look for the beauty in the world, in both the extraordinary and the ordinary. Embrace the sublime and let it fill you with wonder and awe, for it is in these moments that we truly come alive.

What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking: In Praise of the Sublime

by Terry Theise(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1025 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	197 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

A paean to authentic wines and a New York Times Best Wine Book of the Year from the James Beard Award-winning author of Reading Between the Wines. 
 
What makes a wine worth drinking? As celebrated wine writer Terry Theise explains in this gem of a book, answering that seemingly simple question requires us to look beyond what’s in our glass to consider much bigger questions about beauty, harmony, soulfulness, and the values we hold dear. Most of all, Theise shows, what makes a wine worth drinking is its authenticity. When we choose small-scale, family-produced wine over the industrially produced stuff, or when we opt for subtle, companionable wines over noisy, vulgar ones, we not only experience their origins with the greatest possible clarity and detail—we also gain a new perspective on ourselves and the world we inhabit. In this way, artisanal wine is not only the key to good drinking; it is also the key to a good life. 
 
An unforgettable literary journey into the heart and soul of wine, What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking is a gift to be cherished from a writer “whose id is directly connected to his mouth” (Eric Asimov, The New York Times).
 
Winner of the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards Chairman’s Award A “Best Wine Gift” by WineSpeed 
 
“Grown-up wine writing, full of emotion . . . and, in these dangerously cynical times, exactly what we wine enthusiasts—we human beings—need.”—The World of Fine Wine

“Theise’s fans, as well as those just meeting him for the first time, will revel as he leads us on an existential tour of wine.”—Dave McIntyre, The Washington Post