What is beauty?
And More Importantly, what is the use of
Beauty in understanding history
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I have divided these slides into 4 sections:
1) Nature
2) Man made art
3) Uncertainty
4) The question for this assignment
• Your task – to click through the images, and do
spend some time on each as the beauty is
undeniable.
• The fortunate part – you can always refer back to
some extraordinarily beautiful images.
Maestà by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Tempera on wood, 13° century
Duccio, Betrayal of Christ, back of the Maesta, 13th century
Giotto, The
Lamentation,
14th century
Giotto, The
Ascension,
14th century
Giotto, The Annunciation
Reubens, Feast of Venus
Botticelli - Lamentation of Christ
Botticelli: Nascita di Venere, 15 th century
Ghiberti, Gates of Paradise, 17 ft high, 15th century
Panel from Ghiberti door. Bottom right panel
Andrea Mantegna, The Lamentation over the Dead Christ, . 15th century., tempura on canvas
Rafael, The Transfiguration
Raphael, The Madonna and child
Piero Della Francesca, Resurrection, 1463
Massacio, Expulsion from Eden, 15th century
(note twisted and contorted face – the pain and the agony)
The Annunciation, Rogier van der Weyden, 15th century
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Damned Cast into Hell, 1499-1504, Signorelli
Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, 16th century
David, 16th century
Hieronymous Bosch 1510
The Creation of Adam. Michelangelo, 1512, Sistene Chapel
1512, Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel
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John Constable, 1821, The White Horse
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John Singer Sargent, Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, 1882.
Monet, 1890s
Seurat, 1880s
Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh, 1880s
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John Singer Sargent, A Street in Venice, 1880-1881
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John Singer Sargent, The Brook
• Understand that unique is not beautiful, it is
unique.
• Understand that different is different, not
necessarily beautiful.
• Recognize the difference between unique,
different, and the beautiful.
• Something may even be very beautiful to you,
but that does not mean it is a thing of beauty,
and in 100 years no one will remember it even
existed.
Using dung as a ‘paint’
Chris Ofili's "Holy Virgin Mary":
Piss Christ – Crucifix in
case of urine
You may wish to review other art – from
the Renaissance through the art
constructed today.
These are samplings I found, which I
find, uniquely appropriate.
Why Beauty Matters  Roger Scruton
http://documentaryaddict.com/Why+Beauty+Matters-542-doc.html
This link may or may not be working. If it is not working, you should be able to find the video
somewhere on the world wide web by searching ‘Why Beauty Matters’ and Roger Scruton.
What is the use or purpose of beauty?
In forming an answer, you may wish to consider the following: Is there a standard for
art and does art have a relationship to the real world (the one we live in), should it if it
does or does not. Should art reflect your life – whether triumphal or abysmal – or
should art aspire (inspire you) to something else?
What benefit does that have for us in understanding beauty? If you believe it should
reflect a beauty we could or should aspire to- why? Does beauty change over time, or
is there an eternal beauty that is universal.
Do you have to answer each of the questions above? No. That is why I wrote ‘you
may wish to consider the following’. It is your answer, BUT I want serious thought
and consideration of the questions raised and then, after you have seriously considered
all I have asked – make sure you do answer the following question:
What is the relationship between the beautiful and the study of history?
• How long does the paper have to be:
– no more than 2 pages typed.
• Arrange your writing in a coherent and logical
manner. Intro, body, conclusion.
• 25 points
• This is an opportunity to repair a missed quiz or
something you did poorly on.
• DUE:
– Tues/Thur class: November 25.
Mon/Wed class: November 24.
• This assignment may not be emailed to me, nor may
it be handed in late – anytime after I collect it in
class.