Classical Ideals:
* Neoclassical Influence: The 18th-century revival of classical Greek and Roman art heavily influenced the ideal of beauty. This meant symmetrical features, clear skin, graceful figures, and a sense of poise and composure.
* Idealized Feminine Beauty: Women were often portrayed as delicate, pale, with large, expressive eyes, and a petite figure. This ideal was often unattainable, leading to practices like corsetry and the use of cosmetics to enhance their appearance.
Romantic Era & Emotion:
* Romantic Idealism: The Romantic movement of the early 1800s emphasized emotion, intuition, and the natural world. This infused beauty with a sense of passion, wildness, and an appreciation for the unconventional.
* "The Sublime": A concept closely tied to the Romantic era, which defined beauty in terms of awe-inspiring, overwhelming experiences, such as powerful storms, vast landscapes, or even tragic love stories.
Victorian Era & Morality:
* Moral Purity: The Victorian era placed great emphasis on virtue and propriety. Beauty became associated with modesty, chastity, and a refined demeanor.
* Emphasis on Health: The Victorian period saw an increasing focus on health and hygiene. This extended to beauty ideals, with clear skin, rosy cheeks, and a healthy physique becoming important.
Artistic Trends:
* Realism: The rise of realism in art brought a focus on depicting everyday life and people as they actually were. This challenged the idealized beauty standards of the past and began to embrace a broader spectrum of appearances.
* Pre-Raphaelite Movement: This artistic movement, which flourished in the mid-19th century, drew inspiration from medieval art and emphasized the beauty of nature, idealized feminine figures, and emotional expression.
Beyond the Physical:
* Inner Beauty: While physical beauty remained important, the concept of "inner beauty" gained traction. This involved qualities like kindness, intelligence, and strong moral character.
It's crucial to remember that beauty was not a monolithic concept in the 1800s. Ideals varied by class, region, and even within individual artistic movements. Additionally, the concept of beauty is always evolving and influenced by social, cultural, and technological changes.