Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/173

 BOOK II ART AND POPULAR LITERATURE INTRODUCTION. The artistic development of a nation is a better index of the national genius than even its literature. The art of a people bears the impress of the popular mind, nay, is the embodiment of the popular ideas. This is particularly the case with the German people at the close of the Middle Ages. In those days German art was more strongly national and characteristic than at any time before or since. Its masterpieces have been the admiration of all succeeding centuries, and are manifestly the work of a people of high moral purpose, strong faith, and patriotic ardour. Those masterpieces prove conclusively that the influence of the Church was as great in the realm of art as in the domain of science ; and that, far from restricting the flight of genius, the Church supplied the most ideal subjects for the service of art. Out of the close and intimate relations existing between the Church and its individual members pro- ceeded the heartfelt faith, the sanctification of earthly things, the humble, unselfish devotion to higher ends, which inspired the art of the age. Art prospers only vol. i. M