The introduction precedes the publication of the results of scientific research in the field of history and theory of art, as well as in the field of the most important conceptual problems of modern humanities and social sciences. The major current problems in the field of world and Russian art are considered, the main trends in the development of modern humanities and social sciences are determined. The introduction presents a theoretical position that should reveal the methodological

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... s to the analysis of works of visual and musical art. The research is based on the basic principles of the modern theory of art, which states that a work of art is always the result of complex interaction in two forms: 1) the result of an interaction of an artist (master) and an art material; 2) the result of the interaction of a work of art as a material thing and a recipient (viewer, listener). The task of an art historian is to become an intermediary between the recipient and the work of art. This mediation in world philosophy is called maieutics. The maieutic function of the humanities and social sciences is revealed in all the studies, the results of which are published in this thematic issue