The concept of classical beauty, originated in Greece, is perfectly described in the architectural treatise of Vitruvus Pollio in the I century BC. It has profoundly influenced art throughout history. Beauty was based on symmetry, physical and mental harmony, balanced proportions and mathematical relationship of the parts to the whole, known as the Golden Section.
Vitruvian Man
This well known drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, about 1500, relates to Vitruvus Pollio’s only architectural treatise to survive from Antiquity. Although it is unillustrated, it profoundly influenced art throughout history, especially in the period Renaissance.
Socrates postulated, that the main task of the artist was to give a standard of idealized contour of the human body in exact proportions to gain Balance and Harmony. We can still admire this in the statue of the “Venus de Milo“, one of the most famous works of art history created around 100 BC.
It became the symbol of classical female beauty with universal appeal where mathematical proportions produced, what was thought to be, a perfect Balance and Harmony.
Venus de Milo:
Venus of Milo contains many intended facial asymmetries that are very difficult to notice unless one measures every detail or applies a grid.
The only symmetrical part is her lower face. Her nose is deviated to the left, left ear stands higher than the right and the left eye is higher and closer to midline than the right. These features of Venus prove the genius of Greek art and unsurpassed understanding of visual perception.
This is a gift and absolute requirement for those who create art, from ancient sculptor to contemporary practician of Aesthetics. Perceptually, artist’s genius created perfectly balanced image without insisting on symmetry.
