Via Negativa of Nicolas of Cusa. Metaphors and Analogies in the Portal Architecture from the Circle of Benedikt Ried
Abstract
The paper goes back to the idea of V. Mencl who reflected on the possibility to put some architectural features used by B.
Ried in connection to the thought of Nicolas of Cusa. The 15th century thinker was concerned with the relationship of the general and the individual (the unity and plurality by analogy), as many scholars are too these days.
In his view, there is no direct vertical connection between them based on a hierarchical system. He rather saw their relationship as a metaphor.
The individual elements vary while their relationship to the general remains equal. Linguists place the emergence of a similar approach to language and meaning creation to the same period (15th century).
This way of thinking may surely be used in interpreting the portals from the circle of B. Ried as well.