There is a test to discern between what is beautiful and what is not. Imagine you are walking past a full dumpster and can see a discarded work of art near the top of the dumpster. Now imagine the work of art is Tracy Emin’s My Bed, an art installation that features an unmade bed with various pieces of garbage (empty bottles, cigarette butts, clothes) strewn about the base of it.

                                                                   
                                                                                 Tracy Emin’s My Bed. 

                                                               Photo Credit: Wikipedia. Educational Fair Use

If this was the painting you saw in a dumpster, you would likely walk past it without giving it a second thought. But if you happened to see The Little Dancer of Fourteen Years by Edgar Degas in a dumpster, you would stop to look at it. You might even try to retrieve it.

                                                                                     
                                     Impressionist sculpture of “The Little Dancer of Fourteen Years” by Edgar                                                                                                Degas on display at the St. Louis Art Museum. 

                                                                          Photo Credit: Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 4.0

Beauty has an effect on us that regular, everyday objects do not. It is hard to describe exactly what the effect is, but it is not hard to feel it. You desire more excellence in your life when you behold something that is beautiful. This brings us to consider what has been deemed beautiful and of value by cultures across time.

Beauty in the visual arts is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been explored, celebrated, and debated throughout history by cultures around the world. At its core, beauty in the arts is often viewed as a reflection of the artist’s perception of their world, and the way in which they choose to express their ideas and emotions. Remember that discerning beauty in the arts at times tends to be a more subjective endeavor than the process of discerning truth in the arts (which we tackled last week).

Let us explore various cultures from around the world to learn more about how each viewed this concept of beauty. A generally well-known example of ancient Egyptian artwork that reflects their beliefs about beauty is the striking Nefertiti Bust, a painted limestone sculpture created in 1345 BC (see below). Depicting the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, the work is characterized by its detailed and realistic depiction of the human form with particular emphasis on the elegant features of the queen’s face. The work likewise reflects the ancient Egyptians’ appreciation for symmetry and balance, as well as their belief that beauty was a reflection of the divine. 

                                                                                   
                                                                                             Nefertiti bust. 

                                                                          Photo Credit: Wikipedia. Public Domain

One specific example of ancient Greek architecture that reflects their attitude toward beauty is the Parthenon. Built in the 5th century BC, the temple is situated on the Acropolis of Athens, and is dedicated to the goddess Athena. Long considered as one of the most iconic examples of Classical Greek architecture, it is known for its use of harmony, proportion, and simplicity. Similar to the Egyptians, the temple’s design likewise reflects the ancient Greeks’ belief that beauty was a reflection of mathematical harmony and order (both of which are characteristic elements prominently featured throughout the monument). For example, the Parthenon’s fluted marble columns lean slightly inward, but when viewed from a distance, they present the illusion of perfectly straight columns, therefore contributing to the structure’s overall harmonious and balanced look.

                                                             Parthenon, 447–432, Pentalic marble, Athens, Greece. 

                                                                          Photo Credit: Wikimedia. CC BY 2.0

In the Renaissance period, c. 1350–1600 AD, artistic beauty was heavily influenced by the ideals of humanism and the rediscovery of ancient Classical art (specifically Greek and Roman). The art of this era was particularly known for its renewed interest in realism in terms of depicting the human figure, and artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo were celebrated for their ability to depict the human form in a lifelike manner. For example, Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, completed around 1503–1506 and portraying a seated woman with an enigmatic expression, is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable works of art in the world. Leonardo’s realistic approach, including his masterful use of atmospheric perspective in the background and his ability to capture delicate details—namely in her face, hands, hair, and clothing—again reflects the Renaissance ideals of harmony, proportion, and overall beauty of the human form. The painting is also an example of the Renaissance artists’ interest in capturing the individuality and humanity of their subjects, which was a general departure from the more idealized forms of their Egyptian and Greek counterparts.

                                                                                         
                                                                             Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci. 

                                                                            Photo Credit: Wikipedia. Public Domain

Artistic beauty of Asian cultures is often found in the simplicity and elegance of their paintings and sculptures. Generally speaking, Chinese and Japanese art is characterized by the use of minimalistic compositions and the inclusion of natural elements such as landscapes, animals, and plants. The artwork produced by these cultures often reflects their spiritual and philosophical beliefs. One specific example of Japanese artwork indicative of Japanese attitudes toward beauty is Utagawa Hiroshige’s Cherry Blossoms (see below). Created around 1857 at the end of the artist’s lifetime, the woodblock print depicts a group of cherry blossoms (and only a branch, rather than an entire tree) in full bloom. The print typifies the culture’s penchant for representing the transient beauty found in nature, complete with its use of delicate lines and soft pastel colors, all of which serve to evoke a sense of serenity and peace. Interestingly, Hiroshige’s artwork is also an example of the Japanese aesthetic concept of “mono no aware,” which is an awareness and sensibility to the beauty of the impermanent and fleeting nature of worldly things.

                                                                         
                                                                             Cherry Blossoms,Woodblock print. 

                                                                          Photo Credit: Wikipedia. Public Domain

In African art, beauty is often found in the use of bold colors and striking patterns. It is also many times characterized by its emphasis on the power of the human spirit. For example, “many sub-Saharan cultures share similar criteria for beauty: symmetry and balance, moderation, clarity, and youthfulness. Such determinations, however, go beyond the visual and overlap with an object’s meaning and function. Furthermore, beauty in African art is often tied to goodness and ugliness to immorality. These connections are especially apparent in sculptural representations of the human form, particularly idealized images of powerful men—usually equestrians or warriors—and caring women, typically shown as mother-and-child figures. Beautiful art often plays a role in interactions between the material world of humans and the immaterial world of spirits. Individuals facing illness and other adversity, for example, may attempt to honor or entice the spirits with sculpted human figures featuring elaborate hairstyles or body modifications that are the result of human intervention.”

Photo Credit: arctic.edu CC0

“Conversely, some art and objects require deliberate ugliness in order to mediate between physical and spiritual worlds. For instance, Komo masks of the Bamana in Mali are covered with layers of crusty offerings and often feature sharp, pointed additions, all meant to express an aggressive and frightening character. Still other works, like the power figures (see below) of the Kongo and Songye in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo, combine beauty and ugliness in a way that renders them at once irresistibly attractive and profoundly repelling.”