Beauty is a multifaceted concept that can vary from person to person. This can be seen as a result of cultural, psychological, and social factors. There are also changes in perception depending on historical period and individual.
Originally, the concept of beauty was based on the ideal proportions of a woman’s face. A perfect Greek woman had a round, smooth chin, small earlobes, soft cheeks, and a fuller-than-average upper lip. Her mouth was naturally red and slightly fuller than the upper lip. In the ancient world, women had thick layers of cosmetics to enhance facial beauty. The upper class smeared wax on wrinkled skin and replaced the eyebrows with fur.
Throughout history, beauty has been influenced by politics, media, capitalism, and social status. Beauty standards have also been impacted by racism. As a result, there is often a dichotomy between what is considered beautiful and what is not. For example, Snow White is characterized as being beautiful, yet the villains in Brothers Grimm fairy tales are described as ugly.
In the 19th century, the Victorians believed that the tiniest rosebud lips were the quintessential element of beauty. It was during this time that women concocted herbal creams. These creams were sold at fairs. They were mixed with minced veal and milk.
In the 1960s, a new counterculture emphasized feminine decorations and protest. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Sandro Botticelli created many different faces. Their Virgin paintings conveyed maternal tenderness and mystery.
Later, the idea of beauty was taken up by the Romans. They modeled their statues after the Greeks. Mengs, an art teacher, scrutinized Greek statues and devised a complex formula to duplicate the Greek look. Using this formula, he measured the size of the eyes, the space between the eyes, and the tip of the nose. He also devised a formula to determine the beginning of the hairline on the brow.
Beauty standards are constantly evolving. Currently, a person’s ideal appearance is determined by a variety of qualities. One of the most popular is good health. However, there are also other factors to consider such as race, age, and body shape.
Throughout history, individuals have tended to judge others by their physical appearance. Some believe that the concept of beauty has evolved as a means of power. This is an assertion that has been supported by scientific literature.
Another theory is that the ability to perceive beauty is a rudimentary cognitive process that develops in early childhood. Researchers have argued that preferences for certain types of beauty may be a result of this process. While this is not a definitive theory, it is one that scientists are considering.
Other studies have shown that the concept of beauty is influenced by the emotional response of observers. For example, a person’s perception of beauty is likely to be influenced by the way they view the sunset. If you think about a sunset, you do not tend to judge it.