The Phenomenology of the Concept of Light in Transcendent Art: A Perspective by Henry Corbin

Henry Corbin, a philosopher and interpreter of spiritual wisdom, has uniquely engaged with phenomenology, recognizing and integrating Iranian-Islamic philosophical texts. His primary approach delves into topics within Islamic philosophy that were often overlooked or confined to a traditional circle of wisdom and knowledge before him. In Islamic philosophy, particularly in the works of Mulla Sadra, a crucial topic that Corbin addresses is the issue of the authenticity of existence. It refers to the separation of existence from its essences, recognizing the reality of things independently of their essences. This proposition is then extended to the realm of art, where artistic works are considered as emanations from their source. According to Mulla Sadra, these artistic works are perfection-seeking and transcendent, revealing the characteristics of the artist in their pursuit of excellence.
Corbin, while describing the transcendent realms beyond human experience, considers the interpretation of these realms as a central and serious theme. He regards various approaches to the world beyond as valid, emphasizing the accumulation of interpretations by scholars of mystical illuminations. Based on this foundation, he introduces his unique approach in the search for sparks of light in artistic works, suggesting that these sparks manifest in the human soul and have roots in the higher light and the sacred essence of the divine. From this perspective, an artist, in creating an artistic work, presents an image and representation of a transcendent and metaphysical place and time, connecting their audience with the Creator of the universe.