A comparative study of the views of the Frankfurt school and the circle of traditionalism about modern art: based on the views of Theodore Adorno and Seyed Hossein Nasr

Modernism, which emerged from the heart of modernity, represents significant transformations in the modern world. Modernity appeared in the West after the Renaissance, with a focus on humanity, freedom, and individualism, aiming to change various aspects of life. Art was also influenced by this process, undergoing many transformations. The topic of modern art and the crisis of modernity has always been a focal point for thinkers. Critics like the intellectuals of the Frankfurt School and the Traditionalist school have proposed critical theories on this matter, and this study aims to conduct a comparative examination of their views, with an emphasis on the perspectives of Theodor Adorno and Seyyed Hossein Nasr.

This research seeks to answer the question of the similarities and differences between the Frankfurt School and the Traditionalists’ views on modern art, focusing on Adorno and Nasr. The findings indicate that Nasr, from a traditionalist stance, critiques modern art by emphasizing the preservation of traditional values and considering art as a means to convey spiritual truths. On the other hand, Adorno critiques modern art with a critical perspective, viewing it as a tool to criticize capitalist society. Ultimately, this study shows that both schools critique modern art from different angles, and their perspectives can contribute to solving the problems of modern art. Using a descriptive-analytical method based on library research, this paper examines modern art through the theories of these two schools and compares their viewpoints.