Penelope & David,

 

When I pulled my dictionary, the word 'intellectual' didn't reveal much
either. But look down a couple of lines.  In my Webster's Collegiate 11th
Ed.  I find 'intellectualism' with the meaning ".devoted to exercise of the
intellect or to intellectual pursuits -intellectualist."  This is closer to
explaining the context of your Romanian immigrant artists.

 

I associate the use of the term 'Intellectual' in the way your original post
seemed to use it, as a class or category of person, usually in 19th or early
20th century Europe, who had probably studied at the great Universities, and
whose studies were more philosophical than profession oriented. They likely
were trained in the classics, - I envision them engaged in political and
philosophical discussions in sidewalk cafes, etc. Some were poor, others had
independent wealth, but it was still sort of a socio-economic class. They
became writers, philosophers, artists, etc.

 

Perhaps our European colleagues on the list can explain this better or
correct misimpressions I might have.

 

I recently read an interesting book, The Orientalist, (author is Tom Reiss)
about an elusive author called Kurban Said, whose real name was Lev
Nussimbaum.. he was the son of a wealthy oil man, born in Baku, Russia
(Azerbaijan). He and his father emigrated to central Europe and became
impoverished when the Bolsheviks took over the Baku oil fields. He along
with other 'orientalists' converted to an intellectualized version of Islam.
It is a fascinating picture of the early 20th century in Europe and the
intellectual, political, social climate, overlaid with economic uncertainty
and upheaval after WWI, which led to the rise of Hitler. In it I think you
will get a sense of the kind of 'Intellectuals' your reference refers to. 

 

 (As an aside, I was reading it during the height of our new PC Christmas
sensitivities and was totally taken by a photo in the book showing a large
group of Jewish and Muslim children in Baku, Russia gathered around a large,
finely decorated Christmas tree, having a Christmas party in 1913!!)

 

Lucy Sperlin

 

 

  _____  

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of David E. Haberstich
Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2006 11:15 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: reference about immigrant artists

 

In a message dated 8/13/2006 8:54:39 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

could someone please tell me what the term 'intellectual' means.  i have
read the dictionary definition but from the definition i am unable to
understand what attributes put someone into the category of an intellectual.

 

I consulted my own dictionary and was rather surprised at how unhelpful the
definition was.  Nevertheless, I suppose the intention was to be broad and
inclusive rather than restrictive.  Obviously, we all use our intellect to
some degree, but we're not all intellectuals in the sense that the term is
generally used.  I'd say an intellectual is someone who emphasizes the use
of the intellect, either in his or her vocation or some avocation.
"Professional" intellectuals would include college professors and other
scholars, philosophers, historians, some (not all) writers, some artists and
poets, and some scientists.  "Amateurs" may be intellectuals too, but they
usually have to produce something tangible, such as literary works, to
qualify as intellectuals.  Think of someone who thinks "deep" thoughts and
conveys them somehow.

 

David Haberstich  

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