Time goes by ... so slowly. Cyclical Models of Time at the Beginning of Art History

Abstract

The article studies models of time and history in the historiography of art and cuture since the 16th century on the basis of theoretical comments made by a large number of authors from the 17th and 18th century in particular. Here special attention is paid to cyclical models of time – in the sense of rise and decline. Whereas Vasari still worked along a model of progress, his thought is also informed by the concern that the perfection attained could be followed by decline. In the 17th century the progression model was replaced by various cyclical models which seemed better able to do justce to the developments observed in art and culture. Only with the invention of the museum did time appear to have been brought to a stillstand.