Aesthetics of Hans Urs von Balthasar

Between Trinitarian mysticism and the singularity of literature

Abstract

The article considers the unique contribution of Trinitarian mysticism and literature on the theological aesthetics of Hans Urs von Balthasar, while underlining the decisive and central influence of Adrienne von Speyr’s charism on his work. The uniqueness is presented as a point of convergence from which Balthasar elaborates his aesthetic. These theoretical principles are applied to the analysis of the poetry of Christophe Lebreton. In conclusion, the article proposes a ratio figuralis trinitaria as the nucleus of a renewed reception of Balthasarian aesthetics.