MGP+AngieJ



IDEALS OF BEAUTY //How does the modern Western concept of female beauty differ from that of the Italian Renaissance? //

PREFACE:

I have always been interested in art, history, and society, so this project was the perfect opportunity for me to combine my interests and try to analyze a pattern that had been intriguing me for some time. Why is it that when you go to a famous art museum, all the women in the Renaissance exhibit are pasty white, heavy, and very curvaceous? Why is it that this was considered beautiful back then, and how does it compare to today's Western society? I wanted to answer these questions, not just to have the opportunity to look at a lot of nude paintings, but also because these are the types of questions that connect history to life. A work of art you see on the wall of a museum isn't a dead thing; it represents a whole society, a world, an age gone past. By trying to explain and understand what I saw in art, I realized I could apply these questions to my own society and the world around me. Having now finished this project, I've glad this is the topic I've chosen. I've acquainted myself with a myriad of beautiful artwork, understood a new aspect of history, and seen today's society with a new eye. I hope this page can help you do the same.

GENRE ONE: Research Paper

The purpose of the first genre is, naturally, to give as much information to the reader as possible, in a concise, comprehensive way. Research is conducted, notes are taken, and primary and secondary sources are used. For my research paper, I was lucky to have a variety of both primary sources (consisting of photographs of the paintings themselves, from many different locations and museums) as well as secondary sources (analysis and explanations from art historians and curators), as well as statistics taken by national organizations (such as the U.S. National Center for Health). All of these gave me materials to choose from, but my favourite part of the research was observing the paintings and photographs myself and forming my own conclusions. Because art and photography, like the concept of beauty itself, really depends on the eye of the beholder, I drew many ideas from my own observations. My research paper will try, therefore, to address both the ideals of beauty in Renaissance days as well as in modern Western society, and give the reader an idea why the difference is so signficant.

Angie Jo Mr. Stephens English 10 Block G October 25, 2009

Mirror, mirror on the wall... so who really is the fairest of them all? Today, the widely-accepted standard of beauty in the Western world is the supermodel. Standing at an average of 5’ 11” tall, most of these ladies carry less than ten percent body fat, and have waist measurements like children. However, one only has to look at 16th century interpretations of women to see that this perception of “beauty” has not always been so. Over the six hundred years that have passed since the Italian Renaissance, the Western ideal of a beautiful woman has changed from larger, softer figures with ample curves to images of a very slim, toned, lean woman.

The Italian Renaissance was a philosophical, cultural, and artistic revolution that spread from Florence, Italy during the 14th and 17th centuries (//Art of the Italian Renaissance//). Art was “reborn” into greater freedom and expression, thus producing some of the finest, most renowned work in architecture, frescoes, sculptures, paintings, and portraits. However, looking at portrait paintings of Renaissance women, as well as paintings of goddesses and mythical females, it is impossible not to notice how different they look compared to the photos we see of famous women in the media today.

 For a clear example of an idealization of beauty in the 15th century, one only has to look at Sandro Botticelli's famous painting, "Venus and Mars". Right away, one notices the goddess’s pale, creamy white skin and perfectly symmetrical features, as well as “//the high forehead, the sharply deﬁned chin, strawberry blond hair, high delicate eyebrows, strong nose, narrow mouth and full lips...Her body is clothed, but the diaphanous and sumptuous gown covers a full figure with an ample bosom, rounded abdomen and wide hips.//" (Neil Haughton, Perceptions of Beauty in Renaissance Art). She is definitely not thin, nor is she muscular or toned. She looks soft, curvaceous and voluptuous, and appears in a context that clearly declares her sexual attractiveness (she is lying across a bed from her lover, Ares, the god of war). So this was what was considered the epitome of beauty in 1445.

Fast forward to year 2007, where according to //Forbes Magazine//, the top earning supermodel in the world was Brazilian-born Gisele Bundchen with $300 million a year, followed up by Kate with $9 million. According to her official website, Bundchen stands 5‘ 11.5”, has a 23” inch waist measurement, and is visibly far thinner and more toned than the average American woman. Kate Moss herself is an icon of the “waif” look, meaning that at one point she weighed a mere 100 lbs. on her tiny, 5’ 7” foot frame. Both have been accused of having eating disorders at one time or another, and of being unhealthily thin. However, these models clearly aren't being paid for nothing; the statistics show that these two women have “sold” in Western media and industries as the most appealing models of female beauty today.

These women look nothing like the full-figured, bodacious females of Renaissance days. Nor do they resemble the average American woman, who (according to the U.S. National Center for Health) weighs 163 pounds (74 kg) and stands 5' 3.8". Why the immense difference? One explanation might be that women during the 15th century in Europe were valued for being healthy, productive mothers and wives, not necessarily hot-shot money makers like the young women in today's competitive society. A young woman during Renaissance times would have the sole responsibility of finding a wealthy husband and bearing multiple, healthy babies. Thus, the values of piety, chastity, health, and being a good mother or wife were valued far beyond today's values of brains, diligence, and being a smart career-person. This difference is reflected in the way people saw a beautiful woman.

Six hundred years ago, a "pure", "chaste” looking woman with ample curves and hips would have been desirable, as that reflected their job as mothers and wives in life. Nowadays, most women are more interested in presenting themselves as smart, capable workers, and attractive, sexy social butterflies, as that reflects the greater range of jobs, rights, and opportunities they have today. Just as every society and every individual has its own idea of beauty, the ideal of perfection can change dramatically over time. Who knows what will be considered beautiful in the next five hundred years?

Works Cited 

Alan, Brown David. "Virtue and Beauty: Renaissance Portraits of Women." USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education) Nov. 2001: 36+. Questia. 9 Sept. 2009 .

Blakeley, Kiri. “In Pictures: The World's Top-Earning Models - Forbes.com.” Forbes.com 9 Jul 2007. 9 Sep 2009 [].

Botticelli, Sandro. Detail from "Venus and Mars", c. 1485-6 London, National Gallery. []

Dr. Peters, Ruth A. “Teaching kids what being 'attractive' means - Parenting & Family.” MSNBC Today 9 Jul 2007. 9 Sep 2009 <http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/19618047/>.

Marwick, Arthur. "Skin Deep . but in the Eyes of All Beholders: Arthur Marwick Reveals How Beauty Moved from Being Enticing and Dangerous to Being Enticing and All-Powerful." History Today Dec. 2004: 18+. Questia. 9 Sept. 2009 <http://www.questiaschool.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5008450219>.

“National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000 | National Center for Environmental Assessment | US EPA.” National Center for Health Stastistics. 9 Sep 2009 <http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=59053>.

Neil Haughton. “Perceptions of beauty in Renaissance art .” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2004).

Toman, Rolf, ed. The Art of the Italian Renaissance: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Drawing. Illustrated Edition. Konemann, 1998.

Springer, Carolyn. "Virtue and Beauty: Leonardo's Ginevra De' Benci and Renaissance Portraits of Women." Renaissance Quarterly 56.2 (2003): 475+. Questia. 9 Sept. 2009 [].

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 190%;">GENRE TWO: <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;">Comedic Interpretation: "Dear Aunt Aphrodite" column <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 116%;"> <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> I chose to do a somewhat humourous take on the concept of differing ideals of female beauty in different societies, by creating a "Dear Aunt Aphrodite" column. Functioning as a beauty and love advisor, I had fun taking on the roles of different female characters (one during the Renaissance and one in 2009), each with their own dilemma and begging for help. "Dear Agony Aunt" columns show up everywhere in women's magazines, and all share the same basic characteristics. Select entries are chosen in every issue to be replied to by the "Agony Aunt", who always has some kind of an answer to give. Usually the people writing to the Agony Aunt have their names changed or disguised, to protect their privacy, but I left my characters' names unchanged to better show the times and places from which they come from (i.e. Cecilia di Figlia of Florence, 1543). Agony Aunt columns usually focus on a single theme, ranging from romantic matters to financial columns to teen help. My column, being written by "Aunt Aphrodite", the goddess of beauty and love, primarily focuses on beauty issues. Through writing this genre, it helped me understand my topic better, as it required filling the shoes of characters who are 500 years apart. I had to imagine the lifestyle of a mid-16th century Florentine girl, and try to express what her concerns would be. Filling someone else's shoes always helps you understand history and people better.

//<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of beauty and love. For centuries women have prayed to her for aid and advice in romantic matters, as she is considered the most breathtaking even out of the Olympian goddesses. Let us imagine that a Dear Aunt Aphrodite column existed, both in Renaissance times and in the modern day, to which women and girls can turn for help in making themselves look and feel like the "ideal" woman. Like the Dear Abby's, Agony Aunts, and Dr. Phil's of the world, Aunt Aphrodite is always there to listen to your problems and offer her advice.... // <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">

1543, Cecilia di Figlia of Florence writes to Aunt Aphrodite.... and recieves a reply. <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 190%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 190%;">

Almost 500 years later, in 2009, Sophie Jackson of NYC emails Aunt Aphrodite... and recieves a text message back..

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 190%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 190%;">

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 190%;">GENRE THREE: <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 152%;">Virtual Gallery

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 116%;">Looking through dozens of paintings on art sites and in coffee table books made me wish I could see these famous works of art in person. Of course, that would be a bit difficult, as the ones I've chosen below hail from all over the world, including Milan, Paris, London, New York, Rome, and Vienna. //What a shame//, I thought, until I realized I might as well make my own personal gallery. Virtual, 3-D art galleries are now used in many places, including websites for famous art museums like Le Loeuvre, or even on the personal websites of local artists, to display their work. They allow the user to navigate an exhibition using their mouse or arrow keys, and stop at the works they want to observe more closely. Obviously, a virtual gallery is no match for seeing the real pieces in person, but for now, it is the next best thing I can think of. Virtual galleries like mine can be used to make a point, present a photo essay, or compare and contrast two different kinds of artwork. This genre was particularly useful for my topic, as my question involves comparing the ideals of beauty of two different time periods. I have set up my gallery so that the viewer can observe all the Renaissance work (thirteen carefully chosen pieces, handpicked for their demonstration and interpretation of the female figure) in one room, then turn around and head to the second room to see some modern photographs of what we consider "beautiful" today; namely supermodels on the runway or in advertisements. This way, the viewer can see for themselves the two different concepts of female beauty and draw their own conclusions. <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"> <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;">

=<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">~ Welcome to le Musée d'Angée! ~ Bienvenue au Musée d'Angée ~ Benvenuto al Museo di Angée ~ Bienvenido al Museo de Angée ~ Le Musée d'Angée 의 환영합니다! ~ =

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;"> 1. Click the window to start. 2. To follow the automated tour, leave the screen as is. 3. To tour the gallery manually, press your space button, then use your mouse to click and drag in the direction you want to go. 4. The titles and information of the artwork and photographs are listed below. Enjoy!

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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Exhibit Room One (Renaissance Art):

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"> <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"> (row one, left to right)

1. Mars and Venus, Paolo Veronese, c. 1580 Canvas, 206 x 161 cm New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1910 (10.189) []

2. Detail of Sybil from the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo, 1510 []

3. Nymphs Bathing, Palma il Vecchio, c. 1525 Transferred to canvas, 77.5 x 124 cm Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum []

4. Pastoral Scene (Fête Champêtre), Giorgione, c. 1508 Canvas, 105 x 136 cm Paris, Musée du Louvre []

5. Portrait of a Woman (Donna Velata), Raphael, c. 1516 Oil on canvas, 85 x 64 cm Florence, Palazzo Pitti []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"> <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">(row two, left to right)

6. The Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, c. 1485 Tempera on canvas, 172.5 x 278.5 cm Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi []

7. Triumph of Venus detail, Francesco del Cossa, c. 1470s Fresco Ferrara, Palazzo Schifanoia []

8. Venetian Couple, Paris Bordone, c. 1520/30 Canvas, 95 x 80 cm Milan, Pinacoteca di Brera []

9. Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto, c. 1540 Oil on canvas, 92.4 x 111.4 cm New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">(row three, left to right)

10. Venus of Urbino, Titian, c. 1538 Canvas, 119 x 165 cm Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi []

11. Venus, Mars, and Cupid Crowned by Victory, Paris Bordon, c. 1550 Oil on canvas, 118 x 130.5 cm Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie []

12. Zeus and Antiope, Correggio, c. 1528 Canvas, 190 x 124 cm Paris, Musée du Louvre []

13. An Allegory (Venus, Cupid, Time and Folly), Agnolo Bronzino, c. 1540-1545 Oil on wood, 146 x 116 cm London, The National Gallery []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Exhibit Room Two (21st Century Photographs):

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 132%;">

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">(row one, left to right)

1. Supermodel Adriana Lima []

2. Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio (June 2007) GQ UK []

3. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen 2009 Met Costume Institute Gala []

4. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen (2003) GQ Italy []

5. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen for Aquascutum by Michael Thompson []

6. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen for Ipanema []

7. Supermodel Heidi Klum (June 2009) Vogue Germany []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">(row two, left to right)

8. Supermodel Kate Moss by Craig Martin []

9. Supermodel Kate Moss for Calvin Klein Obsession for Men []

10. Supermodel Kate Moss Calvin Klein Underwear []

11. Supermodel Tyra Banks []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">(row three)

12. Victoria's Secret Supermodels []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 190%;">EPILOGUE: <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">I am very pleased that I chose to do this project on a topic I had real interest in. Touring museums and seeing new artwork is really one of my favourite things to do, and something that makes me happy. Until very recently, art was filed strictly as art in my mind, yet this project made me realize that I can learn a great deal more about history, society, culture, and people in general through studying artwork more closely. Instead of appreciating a painting or sculpture for its aesthetic appeal, I can now also use a work of art to explain better to myself what the time period was like when it was created. I have a newfound fascination for who created the work, what kind of lifestyle they had, what difficulties they were going through, what kinds of social standards they adhered to. Paintings hold more meaning for me, now that I can connect the dates of their creation to dates in history. My perspective on learning in general have thus changed; I've realized learning the Humanities can be done in so many ways, art included. As for the readers of this page, (if there are any who lasted long enough to read this epilogue!) I hope they learned something new about Renaissance art, and how different women were considered in society, as opposed to today. I hope they can see that this kind of culture difference can be quickly observed by looking at artwork, and not just by reading about it in a textbook. Lastly, but most importantly, I hope they lingered long enough in my virtual gallery to gain at least a small appreciation for these beautiful works of art by the old masters of the Italian Renaissance.