/lit/ - Literature

This should probably go in the art forum, but I feel like you will take it more seriously. At least, I hope. I'm not sure what I could call it, but I seem to have an almost physical pain at looking at certain images. It's a deep longing that pervades me. I've always been interested in ancient aesthetics, art and literature. The best way I can describe this is a sense of austere mystery. I love photos of ancient kings and scholars, and especially quiet saints in niches, even ruined and crumbled visages. Thing is, I'm not religious. I just appreciate these for the old world majesty and the artistic mastery and dedication. I feel like I need to be flung thousands of years into the past. I genuinely crave ancient aesthetics and feel like I'm missing something in this world. This poem sums it up.

In such green palaces the first kings reign’d ;
Slept in their shades and angels entertain’d.
With such old counsellors they did advise,
And by frequenting sacred groves grew wise ;
Free from th’ impediments of light and noise,
Man thus retir’d, his noblest thoughts employs