The Figure of Genius as an Ideological Construct. A Critical Reading from Adorno and Plato

Abstract

This article explores the controversy surrounding the figure of genius as the absolute referent of the work of art, questioning its role as an ideological agent in the process of artistic construction. Through a critical reading of the postulates of Theodor W. Adorno and Plato, it analyzes how both philosophers challenge the notion of genius as the origin and fundamental determinant of the work of art. Adorno and Plato agree that the idea of genius as the source of creativity and artistic value is problematic, as it implies a romantic and mystified conception of the creative process. Furthermore, they argue that linking genius to the objective value of the work of art diminishes its autonomy and establishes an ideological panorama of art, limiting its critical and aesthetic potential. By examining the critique of genius as an ideological agent, this article seeks to contribute to the understanding of the complex relationship between genius, the work of art, and ideology, and its impact on artistic theory and practice.