Doctor of Sciences (Philology), professor, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Russia, Saint Petersburg, volskij@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2274-9667
The second half of the 19th century in Europe was marked by a profound crisis in culture and religion, rooted in a broader crisis concerning conceptions of humanity. Despite advancements in science and technology, as well as significant social reforms, individuals increasingly experienced a sense of metaphysical solitude within the secularized cultural landscape. In an era dominated by materialism and positivism, the idea of human metaphysical freedom — once evident in the spirit of romanticism — gradually lost its self-evidence. The formation of the «new man» emerged as a central issue in philosophical anthropology, particularly within the decadent milieu of the late nineteenth century. One of the most influential projects for shaping this new human ideal was proposed by the German art historian and philosopher J. Langbehn in his book Rembrandt as Educator. Langbehn, an advocate of the conservative revolution, envisioned cultural renewal through a return to its origins — specifically, the baroque culture of the New Age, embodied in the figure of Rembrandt. According to Langbehn, Rembrandt exemplifies the essential qualities of the German soul, namely individualism and dualism. The mythologized figure of Rembrandt, constructed as an archetype of German identity, is examined in relation to other foundational elements of the German national myth — art, culture, civilization, Werden, and the opposition between music and politics. Additionally, V.F. Ern's article From Kant to Krupp is considered as a «Russian» counterpart to Langbehn's work.
Langbehn; Rembrandt; aesthetic myth; dualism; individualism.
Download textFor citing: Volskiy A.L. (2025) The project of the new man in Rembrandt As An Educator by Julius Langbehn. Human being: Image and essence. Humanitarian aspects. Moscow. INION RAN. Vol. 3 (63). pp. 135-147. DOI: 10.31249/chel/2025.03.08