Perceptuaalisten

Perceptuaalisten is a Dutch term that translates to "perceptualists" in English. The term refers to a group of artists and intellectuals who emerged in the Netherlands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were part of a broader European movement that sought to redefine art and aesthetics based on the principles of perception and the scientific study of the senses. The Perceptuaalisten were influenced by the works of philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and John Locke, who argued that our perception of the world is shaped by our sensory experiences and cognitive processes.

The group was founded in 1898 by the painter Anton Mauve and the art critic and philosopher Jan Toorop. They aimed to create a new aesthetic that emphasized the subjective and personal nature of art. The Perceptuaalisten believed that art should be based on the artist's individual perception of the world, rather than on traditional academic principles or historical precedents. They rejected the idea of a fixed, objective reality and instead advocated for a more fluid and subjective approach to art.

The Perceptuaalisten's ideas had a significant impact on Dutch art and culture. They influenced a number of prominent artists, including Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg, who went on to become key figures in the development of abstract art and the De Stijl movement. The Perceptuaalisten's emphasis on perception and subjectivity also had a lasting influence on the broader art world, shaping the development of modern and contemporary art.