MATC Beauty school-Reviewing the History of Beauty When history is carefully reviewed, beauty may seem like a really fickle thing. Throughout the centuries, the concept of beauty, or what has been considered to be beautiful, has been different.
Today, a product is considered to pretty if it is attractive visually. The civilization that produced the objects that are the closest to the modern perception of beauty was ancient Egypt. The Concept of Beauty In the beginning, the concept of beauty existed, but it did not have a particular term with which it was referred to in ancient languages. The earliest reference to such a term is found in the title of a work in the library catalogues of the Edphu temple.
The title indicates that the rest of the document was about how to decorate walls, but the title is all that remains of this ancient text. Most of the time when beauty was referred to, it was in reference to architecture.
It soon became equated with mathematics and the theory of proportions which were used by builders and artists of the time when constructing buildings. The earliest point in time that the theory of proportions began to be used, that modern researchers know of, was in 600 BC when Egyptians measured the reliefs in Sakkara.
The reliefs were located in the tomb of the pharaoh Zhoser. They were created in 2800 BC.
The theory of proportions was created from these measurements and it began to be applied in the construction of buildings. These proportions were especially used in the construction of temples to important deities.
The History and Study of Beauty By the time of the Middle Ages, beauty became something that was actually researched. However, it was classified as a study under theology.
It was placed there because beauty is considered to be a characteristic of God. As God was perfect, He emulated perfect beauty.
Augustine is the most well known researcher who pursued this study. He defined this term as ‘unity and order which emerge from complexity.’
Augustine also gave examples of his definition such as rhythm, symmetry, and simple proportions. Later, Thomas Aquinas philosophized on beauty on as well.
He lived between 1225 and 1274 AD. Aquinas stated that beauty had three prerequisites which were wholeness or perfection, harmony, and clarity or brightness.
The definitions of these ancient philosophers may lead one to wonder what Plato said about the beauty. Plato’s statements on the meaning of beauty are actually quite similar to how it is viewed today.
He also connected the term with ‘good’ and ‘proper.’ Socrates and Aristotle also discussed beauty to some extent.
Aristotle connected the term with order, repetition of measure and exactness. This may have been influenced by some of the architectural elements during the time. Perception of Beauty
Plato also talked about how the idea of beauty in relation to attractiveness of an object is very abstract. This means that it is based on the perspective and perception of the beholder.
In about 532 BC it was discovered that musical instruments also had to be built in the right proportions to create beautiful music. After this discovery, the theory of proportions began to be adapted for the human body as well.
Along with the application of proportions to the human body, the idea of symmetry came back into full force. However the term symmetry referred more to how all of the parts of the body work together in agreement rather than looking absolutely the same.
Soon the proportions discovered with the human body began to be applied to architecture as well. Throughout the ages, beauty has been very mathematical in nature.
Due to the beliefs of the church and how beauty was regarded as a characteristic of God, the concept that beauty was a perception of the beholder was discouraged because it seemed a profane way discuss the subject as nothing on earth could exhibit the beauty which God could exhibit.
However, when the Renaissance started, beauty became mainly a psychology of perception. At this point, people began to study it to find out what made the beholder believe that something in particular was pretty.
New concepts and theories were developed and implemented. Not only did the physical appearance factor into how beautiful an object was, but the quality, usefulness, or moral values of an object or person were also factored in.
The concept of beauty has gone through a major evolution throughout the history of the world. It is very interesting to see where it has ended up today, but you will have to decide for yourself whether the modern concept is better that historical concept.
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