What is beauty? Is it subjective or objective? How does it stimulate emotions and experiences?
Beauty has captivated and inspired humans since time immemorial. It is a concept that transcends cultures, eras and personal preferences. In plastic surgery, understanding the anatomy of beauty is of utmost importance. Beyond its visual appeal, beauty enriches our lives and enhances our humanity. It gives our existence depth, meaning and transcendence. Beauty has the remarkable ability to enliven our senses, inspire and uplift our spirits, and nourish our souls. By perceiving and experiencing beauty, we connect with the world and recognize the order and harmony that surrounds us. In an often chaotic and uncertain world, beauty has the power to awaken within us a sense of wonder, calm and awe, and to inspire, comfort and instill a sense of purpose. Beauty, then, is not limited to the surface but extends to the underlying qualities and virtues, reflecting qualities such as truth, goodness and excellence. When we experience beauty, we are drawn to contemplation and engagement with the sublime. It asks us to pause, reflect and connect with something greater than ourselves. Beauty has the potential to inspire a sense of transcendence and invite us to explore the deep mysteries of existence and our place in the greater cosmos. This blog will help you decipher the essence of beauty and understand how it helps you in your pursuit of true aesthetic rejuvenation, restoration and beautification. Join me on this exciting journey that explores important aspects such as the philosophy of beauty, the golden ratio and aspects of classic, timeless and natural beauty.
Objectivity and subjectivity
A fundamental question in the field of beauty theory revolves around whether beauty is a subjective quality – lying in the eye of the beholder – or whether it represents an inherent and objective attribute of aesthetically pleasing structures. Ancient and medieval depictions largely locate beauty outside of the individual’s experience. Until the 18th century, beauty was viewed in philosophy as an objective property, attributed either to the inherent nature of the beautiful object or to its specific properties. In De Veritate Religione, Augustine deliberated whether things are beautiful because they bring joy or whether they give joy because they are beautiful by nature, arguing for the latter. In Plato’s “Symposium” and Plotinus’s “Enneades”, beauty is associated with a reaction of love and desire and anchored in the realm of forms. Plotinus linked beauty with “formedness”, emphasizing the particular shape characteristics of the type of object. The evolution of philosophical views on beauty shows a shift from a classical, objective understanding rooted in the inherent qualities of objects to a more modern, subjective perspective that emphasizes the pleasure that arises from aesthetic experiences. Classical thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle associated beauty with objective qualities, such as harmonious proportions. In contrast, figures such as Hume and Kant in the 18th century introduced the idea that beauty is linked to subjective pleasure, but also involves intersubjective elements and requires a certain universality in judgment. This nuanced approach acknowledges the intertwining of personal experience, object qualities, and communal dimensions in the appreciation of beauty, offering a more complex and contemporary understanding of aesthetic value.
The Golden Ratio
Beauty can be expressed and defined in numbers. The Pythagoreans admired a recurring ratio that they found beautiful – the golden ratio, later formulated by Euclid. This relationship, synonymous with beauty, balance and symmetry, is reflected in the Nautilus shell and the carefully crafted Parthenon. In both nature and works of art, the Golden Ratio offers insight into the deep connection between mathematics and beauty, revealing a realm where aesthetics and numerical harmony intersect. In aesthetics, the golden ratio defines our perception of beauty, which is reflected in attractive faces and bodies. The facial features are precisely aligned: the head forms a golden rectangle, while the mouth and nose have a golden ratio in relation to the eyes and chin. The golden ratio continues in the human form, from the navel to the foot to the total height and from the head to the fingers to the total height. This divine proportion is also reflected in art, as demonstrated by the Sutherland tapestry “Christ in Glory” in Coventry Cathedral – a testament to the enduring appeal of the golden ratio. Plastic surgeons use the principle of the golden ratio to refine facial features and ensure a natural and harmonious appearance. This mathematical guide is intended to help you decide on the size, shape and placement of facial and body elements to achieve an aesthetically pleasing and appropriate result. Essentially, the Golden Ratio serves as a practical tool to achieve balanced results in plastic surgery.
Timeless and classic beauty
Classic beauty stands like a beacon above the fleeting waves of trends and time. It embodies an aesthetic ideal that has endured across generations and continues to fascinate today. Plastic surgery draws inspiration from this enduring charm and places emphasis on maintaining and enhancing features that are generally considered appealing. The pursuit of timeless beauty in plastic surgery is a commitment to achieving results that resist the negative signs of aging while remaining visually appealing and relevant. Artist-like surgeons weave classic beauty principles into procedures like facelifts and rhinoplasty. It’s not just about restoring youthful contours, but also about enabling people to age gracefully while preserving their natural beauty.
The artistic legacy of plastic surgery
The ancient relationship between surgery and art, documented since 2000 BC, reveals Leonardo da Vinci’s meticulous exploration of “divine proportions” through facial sketches and anatomy dissections. Aesthetics, rooted in the Greek “αἰσθάνομαι” meaning “I perceive” or “I feel,” encompasses the study of beauty in art and nature, notably influencing cosmetic plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is at the forefront of aesthetic medicine, integrating scientific knowledge and evidence-based treatments for effective procedures. At the same time, it is an art form that requires creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and attention to detail. Plastic surgeons use their artistic skills to create visually appealing results that complement each person’s unique characteristics. This fusion of nature, art and science is exemplified in procedures such as breast reductions or breast lifts, where advanced techniques restore youthful shapes while taking into account individual characteristics. By harnessing the wonders of nature, plastic surgeons bring out inner beauty and show how art and science intertwine to redefine aesthetics. The goal of plastic surgery is to complement and enhance natural beauty rather than create an artificial appearance. By respecting and mimicking the elegance of nature, plastic surgeons can help people achieve results that blend seamlessly with their unique features and that pay homage to the inherent beauty of the diverse human form. Whether restoring facial symmetry or improving body contours, plastic surgeons work in harmony with nature to achieve results that are consistent with your desired aesthetic while preserving your natural authenticity and essence.
Pursuit of beauty
Whether in nature, in art or in the work of a plastic surgeon – beauty is a timeless and universal phenomenon that continually inspires, enriches and harmonizes our lives. Beauty is important because it goes beyond the ordinary and gives us a glimpse of the extraordinary. Beauty is a source of enrichment and nourishment for the human soul. Beauty has the ability to elevate our lives, enhance our ability to appreciate, and deepen our understanding of the world. By analyzing the anatomy of beauty, I find inspiration to help you restore your youth, enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence. I balance aesthetic principles while preserving your individuality. In your pursuit of beauty, I will be your excellent and committed partner along the entire journey!