Die Propyläen

work by Goethe

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

"Die Propyläen" was a journal initiated by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1798, lasting only two years. Its primary aim was to advocate for the superiority of classical art and aesthetics over contemporary trends. Goethe sought to promote an uncompromising standard based on the ideals of antiquity, even inaugurating art competitions to reinforce this vision. This effort reflected Goethe's complex position, acknowledging the irresistible force of modern movements like Romanticism while firmly believing in the enduring value of the Classical world as the ultimate ideal. The journal's influence, though brief, underscored Goethe's commitment to shaping artistic taste and preserving classical principles in a rapidly changing world.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Friendship with Schiller (1794–1805) of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
…he started a new journal, Die Propyläen (“The Propylaea”), to preach an uncompromising gospel of the superiority of the ancients to the moderns. It lasted only two years, but in 1799, to carry on its work, he inaugurated a series of art competitions in which subjects from Classical antiquity were…
Read More
…he started a new journal, Die Propyläen (“The Propylaea”), to preach an uncompromising gospel of the superiority of the ancients to the moderns. It lasted only two years, but in 1799, to carry on its work, he inaugurated a series of art competitions in which subjects from Classical antiquity were…
Read More