Final answer:
Beauty is subjective, yet commonly associated with harmony, balance, and rhythm, both in art and personal attributes. Ancient Greek beauty standards and philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and Kant have contributed to our understanding of beauty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defining Beauty in Terms of Art and Attributes
Beauty in art is an abstract concept that can be difficult to define as it is highly subjective and varies from person to person. Nonetheless, there are general attributes that are commonly associated with beauty, including harmony, balance, and rhythm. These elements can contribute to a pleasing aesthetic experience, whether in the natural world or in human-made creations. The acrostic BEAUTY could refer to various attributes that we might find beautiful:
Considering the attributes of beauty as they apply to individuals, it would not be surprising to find people who embody these qualities. They may exhibit balance through their well-rounded personalities, elegance in their demeanor, authenticity in their interactions, unity in how they connect with others, timelessness in their ideas and principles, and a youthful spirit.
Ancient Greek views on beauty focused on physical characteristics, such as a straight nose, low forehead, perfect eyebrows, and blonde hair—considered to be the epitome of beauty. While these standards have evolved over time, they remind us that perceptions of beauty can be deeply tied to culture and era.
Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle viewed beauty as an objective quality that can be determined by its harmony, proportion, and balance. Meanwhile, Kant argued that beauty is a subjective, but commonly shared judgment. Similarly, artworks like Michelangelo's in the Sistine Chapel are globally recognized as beautiful, demonstrating how certain conceptions of beauty can be universally accepted despite the subjective nature of aesthetics.
In the broad sense, beauty is not only a visual experience but is that which provides pleasure or satisfaction to the senses and moral intellect. There are individuals who possess attributes of beauty that align well with this understanding, and they inspire awe, creativity, and admiration in others, much like a piece of exceptional art.