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The Evolution of Beauty: A Humanities Journey

By Careliz
  • Alexander Mosaic (Art History)
    323 BCE

    Alexander Mosaic (Art History)

    • Realistic and detailed mosaic showing Alexander the Great.
    • Considered one of the most beautiful examples of ancient craftsmanship.
    • Shows beauty through movement, expression, and detail.
  • Dante’s Divine Comedy: Beatrice (Literature)
    1308

    Dante’s Divine Comedy: Beatrice (Literature)

    • Beatrice represents spiritual and moral beauty in Dante’s writing.
    • Dante portrays her as a guide who leads the soul toward enlightenment.
    • Her character symbolizes how beauty can elevate a person emotionally and spiritually.
    • This connects beauty to inner qualities rather than physical appearance.
  • The visitation - Piero Di Cosimo (Art History)
    1480

    The visitation - Piero Di Cosimo (Art History)

    • A Renaissance painting emphasizing emotional and spiritual beauty.
    • Expresses beauty through gesture, expression, and symbolism.
    • Not studied in class.
  • Laocoön and his son rediscovered (Art/History)
    1506

    Laocoön and his son rediscovered (Art/History)

    • Discovery redefined ideas of dramatic and physical beauty.
    • Inspired generations of artists with its realism.
    • A landmark event in art history.
  • Taj Mahal: Architecture

    Taj Mahal: Architecture

    • Built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a monument of love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
    • The structure is praised for its symmetry, white marble, and intricate details.
    • It reflects beauty through architectural harmony and emotional meaning.
    • The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
  • Girl with Pear earring - Vermeer (Art History)

    Girl with Pear earring - Vermeer (Art History)

    • Known as “the Mona Lisa of the North.”
    • Shows simple, quiet, and mysterious beauty.
    • Mastery of light and expression.
  • Ode to Beauty -Ralph Waldo Emerson (Philosophy/Literature)

    Ode to Beauty -Ralph Waldo Emerson (Philosophy/Literature)

    • Reflects beauty as a spiritual and intellectual experience.
    • Connects humans with nature and truth.
    • Expresses beauty beyond physical form.
  • The Kiss- Antonio Canova (Sculpture)

    The Kiss- Antonio Canova (Sculpture)

    • Neoclassical work representing idealized romantic beauty.
    • Soft shapes and harmony of form express emotional beauty.
    • Not covered in your class.
  • The lady of Shalott - Alfred Tennyson (Poetry)

    The lady of Shalott - Alfred Tennyson (Poetry)

    • Poem exploring tragic and symbolic beauty.
    • Shows beauty through expression, fate, and emotion.
    • Well known Victorian interpretation of feminine beauty.
  • Portrait of Madame X - Sargent (Art History)

    Portrait of Madame X - Sargent (Art History)

    • Redefined elegance and feminine beauty in modern portraiture.
    • Elegant posture, contrast, and composition.
    • Controversial yet iconic representation of beauty.
  • Salut d’Amour - Edward Elgar (Music)

    Salut d’Amour - Edward Elgar (Music)

    • Romantic musical piece expressing tender emotional beauty.
    • One of the most widely performed love compositions.
    • Shows beauty through melody and feeling.
  • The thinker - Final Cast, Rodin (Sculpture/Philosophy)

    The thinker - Final Cast, Rodin (Sculpture/Philosophy)

    • Represents beauty in thought and human intellect.
    • Beauty expressed through strength and realism of the human form.
    • Symbol of reflection and deep understanding.
  • Snow White and the seven Dwarfs (Film History)

    Snow White and the seven Dwarfs (Film History)

    • First full length animated film.
    • Introduced a new visual language of animated beauty.
    • Shows beauty in innocence, color, and innovation.
  • Roman Holiday - (Film History)

    Roman Holiday - (Film History)

    • Audrey Hepburn’s performance created a new image of natural and authentic beauty.
    • The film highlights elegance, simplicity, and charm instead of exaggerated glamour.
    • Hepburn became an international symbol of cinematic beauty.
    • This shows how beauty can be expressed through personality and grace.
  • Afghan Girl (Photography)

    Afghan Girl (Photography)

    • A powerful portrait taken by photographer Steve McCurry for National Geographic.
    • The girl’s intense green eyes became a global symbol of natural human beauty.
    • The image shows beauty emerging from emotion, expression, and real life.
    • It demonstrates how photography can capture beauty through authenticity.