As we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But the question of whether beauty can be objective remains fascinating and has been debated for centuries. What is true beauty and goodness?
This question extends from classical ideas in art to modern product design. From antiquity through the Renaissance to today, the perception of beauty has changed considerably. It is particularly interesting that today abstract works and seemingly "banal" pictures are praised as art - pictures that often consist only of blobs of color and yet still fetch high prices.
The definition of objective beauty and why we strive for it
The concept of objective beauty describes a kind of universal ideal that is supposed to exist independently of individual preferences. While beauty is usually perceived as subjective, there are repeated approaches in art and philosophy that aim at universal criteria.
Aristotle and Plato already discussed whether "objective" beauty is possible and whether beauty could not even be defined by harmony, proportion and symmetry. In philosophy it is often said that "true beauty and goodness" is the goal that man strives for.
In art theory, this concept is often described as a universal beauty that should be equally perceptible to all people, regardless of culture and time. But is this actually possible, or are beauty and aesthetics just constructions that are shaped by individual and cultural factors?
Changes in Art: From Classic to Modern
Classical art was often guided by strict rules of proportion and harmony that were considered "objectively beautiful." Masterpieces by artists such as Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci embody an aesthetic based on a fixed ideal that is perceived as beautiful across time. These works focus on precise anatomy, expressiveness, and technical perfection to emphasize beauty.
In contrast, modern art developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as a break with these conventions. Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock began to break away from traditional rules and create a more subjective expression of beauty.
Abstraction became an important part of the art world, and paintings consisting of seemingly random blobs of color began to receive increasing recognition. A vivid example is the quote: "The true work of art is not that which looks beautiful, but that which evokes an emotion."
This principle is also evident in today's art scene, where originality and emotional expression are often given priority over adherence to classical criteria of beauty. Abstract works in which form dissolves and color comes to the fore are now part of mainstream art and are received with enthusiasm - even if they would often have shocked earlier art critics.
Product Design and the Search for Objective Beauty
The question of objective beauty has not only been reflected in art, but also in product design. Today, design that is considered "beautiful" must not only meet aesthetic standards, but also be functional and embedded in a clear formal language.
German industrial designer Dieter Rams shaped the design with his philosophy of "less but better", which places functionality and simplicity above unnecessary decoration. This shows an approach in which beauty is defined by clear lines, reduced forms and functional efficiency.
While products today often feature a minimalist design, design aims for a kind of beauty that is easily accessible and universally understood. Rams emphasized, "Good design is aesthetic and makes a product useful." This philosophy pursues an aesthetic that aims for usability and universal acceptance - an approach that has been adopted in many areas of modern design, such as technology and architecture.
The True Beauty and Good: An Excursion into Philosophy
The pursuit of true beauty and goodness is deeply rooted in philosophy. Plato emphasized that the true, beautiful and good only exist fully in the idea and that the physical world is merely a shadow of these perfect ideas. According to Plato's idea, true beauty is imperishable and unchanging, while human perception only captures an image of this perfection.
Aristotle, on the other hand, brought beauty back to the real world, emphasizing that good and beauty could exist in the physical world if it conformed to certain principles such as symmetry and harmony. His teachings influenced art and aesthetics for centuries, especially during the Renaissance, where artists deliberately implemented these principles.
Why splashes of color are considered works of art today
In today's art world, works that are non-representational and whose shapes and colors appear "random" or chaotic are often considered significant. This type of art challenges the audience to find new interpretations and allows for individual emotional reactions.
"A work of art should not please - it should challenge," said a modern art critic. This principle of free interpretation has revolutionized the art world and established abstraction as a valid form of art.
In the consideration of timeless beauty and classical aesthetics, as anchored in the concept of Forma Aeternus , the pursuit of permanence, harmonious calm and a clear formal language is central. Forma Aeternus aims for a timeless aesthetic that goes beyond fashion trends and is based on principles that can be understood in the sense of a universal, eternal beauty.
