Img 1795

Beauty Through the Ages

  • Praxiteles Aphrodite of Knidos (Art History)
    420 BCE

    Praxiteles Aphrodite of Knidos (Art History)

    This is a Greek sculpture that portrays the goddess of beauty in a idealized natural way.
  • Theophrastus On Beauty (Philosophy)
    365 BCE

    Theophrastus On Beauty (Philosophy)

    This is the earliest surviving philosophical analysis of what makes something beautiful
  • The Roman Pantheon (Architecture7
    100

    The Roman Pantheon (Architecture7

    A geometric system that uses harmony and proportion to embody architectural beauty
  • Hagia Sophia Constantinople (Architecture)
    532

    Hagia Sophia Constantinople (Architecture)

    A structure that is famous for its light, golden dome, and spiritual beauty. It was originally built as a cathedral, then converted into a mosque.
  • The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (Literature)
    1010

    The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (Literature)

    The worlds first novel, explores the aesthetic sensitivity and fragility of beauty.
  • Gittos Lamentation Fresco (Art History)
    1305

    Gittos Lamentation Fresco (Art History)

    A innovative use of emotion and realism to manifest human and spiritual beauty
  • Leonardo da Vincis Lady with an Ermine (Art History)
    1475

    Leonardo da Vincis Lady with an Ermine (Art History)

    A portrait that is known for its calm, soft lighting, elegant, and subtle expression, showing inner beauty and grace.
  • Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet (Theater)

    Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet (Theater)

    A play that expresses the beauty of poetry, young love, and emotions.
  • Edmund Burkes, A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful

    Edmund Burkes, A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful

    Forms western ideas about the emotional power of beauty
  • John Keats “Ode on a Grecian Urn” (Literature)

    John Keats “Ode on a Grecian Urn” (Literature)

    A poetic meditation on arts eternal beauty.
  • Edouard Manets A Bar at the Folies-Bergere (Art History)

    Edouard Manets A Bar at the Folies-Bergere (Art History)

    A modern painting that shows elegance complex reflections.
  • Vincent Van Goghs Starry Night (Art History)

    Vincent Van Goghs Starry Night (Art History)

    This painting shows an emotional understanding of natural beauty
  • Debussys Clair de Lune (Music)

    Debussys Clair de Lune (Music)

    A soft, beautiful piano piece embodying auditory beauty and rhythm
  • Edward Steichen The Flatiron (Photography)

    Edward Steichen The Flatiron (Photography)

    A photograph that shows the beauty of the modern city in soft tones.
  • D.W Griffiths Birth of a Nation (Film History)

    D.W Griffiths Birth of a Nation (Film History)

    This film shows the historical beauty of early cinematic techniques such as camera movements and composition.
  • Georgia O’Keeffes Red Canna (Art History)

    Georgia O’Keeffes Red Canna (Art History)

    This painting shows natural beauty through color and abstraction
  • Frank Lloyd’s Wrights FallingWater

    Frank Lloyd’s Wrights FallingWater

    This is an example of beauty being created through harmony with nature
  • Miles Davis Kind of Blue (Music)

    Miles Davis Kind of Blue (Music)

    A jazz masterpiece that uses clam, and simplicity to express musical beauty
  • Aretha Franklins “Respect” (Music)

    Aretha Franklins “Respect” (Music)

    This song shows that beauty can be expressed as power, dignity, and voice.
  • Sense and Sensibility by Ang Lee (Film History)

    Sense and Sensibility by Ang Lee (Film History)

    This is a beautifully shot adaptation of Jane Austens novel. Includes emotional beauty, music, and love and nature.