Beauty is a fluid concept. It is subject to personal preferences, but also to cultural norms, economic conditions and even political changes. While today we are inspired by selfies of stars on social networks, in the past people were guided by portraits of monarchs, paintings of artists and even minted images on coins.
Each era has sought to perpetuate its own ideal of attractiveness, and these standards can disappear, like wigs in the 18th century, or become timeless classics, like red lipstick in the 1950s. And in that sense, the history of attractiveness is like collecting coins. Certain looks and fashions, like certain coins, may be forgotten, but at a specific moment they suddenly become an object of admiration and are talked about in a new context. For example, the 1943 steel wheat penny value depends largely on its condition and rarity, just as historical beauty is evaluated through the lens of time, context and cultural significance. Today, we invite you to explore the most colorful eras and discover what was considered ideal in different times.
Antiquity: The Greek Ideal and Roman Realism
The ancient era set the fundamental principles of beauty. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that beauty was found in harmony and proportion, and their ideals were often captured on coins and statues.
Ancient Greece: Harmony and Divine Forms
Greek beauty was associated with perfect symmetry and body proportions. Women aspired to porcelain-white skin and neat facial features. Wavy hair was styled with wreaths, and a slight blush was created with natural cosmetics.
Greek men, on the contrary, valued physical perfection rather than facial beauty. A muscular, but not overly massive body symbolizes strength and virtue. As for appearance, faces were more often depicted with a straight nose and expressive chin. A famous example is the statue of “Doryphoros” Polykleitos.
Tip: The idea of body harmony has survived to this day. Modern fitness offers programs based on “Greek” proportions, striving for balanced body development.
Ancient Rome: Realism and Status
Roman culture adopted many elements of Greek aesthetics but added its own understanding of reality and status. In contrast to Greek idealized images, Roman sculptures and coins depicted more down-to-earth, realistic features. This was because the Romans placed great importance on personal glory and achieving status.
What female standards of beauty were valued? Roman women strived for elaborate hairstyles with the use of overlays and weaves. Fair skin was still considered a sign of nobility, and cosmetics used natural dyes for a light blush.
As for men, their beauty was expressed in strength, masculinity and authoritarianism. The pronounced chin and eagle nose symbolized strength and determination - traits necessary for a ruler or military leader.
By the way, did you know that coins depicting Roman emperors are among the most popular among collectors. Using Coin ID Scanner, you can learn the history of such coins and see how ancient ideas of beauty influenced the creation of images of rulers.
Renaissance and Baroque: Naturalness and Extravagance
The Renaissance period and the Baroque era were landmark periods in the history of beauty due to the return to natural forms and the display of luxury. Each of these periods reflected the values and attitudes of its time, which was also vividly reflected in fashion, art, and even portraits of aristocrats.
Renaissance: Health and Natural Proportions
The Renaissance ideal of beauty was inspired by antiquity, but with an emphasis on women's health and motherhood. Women sought rounded shapes as they symbolized fertility and health. Special attention was paid to fair skin, which was considered a sign of noble origins.
Dresses with corsets emphasized breasts and hips, and long hair was associated with purity and femininity. Men, on the other hand, aspired to masculinity, but without excessive massiveness. Proportional facial features and a confident look emphasized a man's status, as well as his intelligence and education.
For example, Leonardo da Vinci created the portrait of “Mona Lisa”, whose thin smile and soft facial features became a symbol of refined female beauty of that era. Her image is the embodiment of harmony, which people of that time were looking for.
Tip for modern women: Use light pastel colors in makeup and smooth waves in styling to recreate the delicate Renaissance look.
Baroque: Abundant Luxury
The Baroque era (17th through 18th centuries) was an era of luxury, theatricality, and elaborate imagery. Beauty took on extravagant forms: women wore powdered wigs and decorated their faces with bright blush and flies (small stickers in the form of black dots), which symbolized coquetry and playfulness.
Hairstyles became real works of art: complex weaves and high structures of hair emphasized the status of women. Men, too, were not lagging behind in the pursuit of beauty. Powdered hair, lace shirts and abundant use of perfume became part of their image.
modern baroque style to everyday life by adding bright accessories or emphasizing bold makeup. It will make any look spectacular.
XXI Centuries: From Romanticism to Modern Individuality
Beauty in the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries underwent a great number of changes that reflected social changes. During these centuries, ideals of appearance became more diverse and fluid, but beauty trends today are increasingly said to emphasize uniqueness and individuality.
The 19th - 20th Centuries: Modesty and Years of Change
The Victorian era symbolized austerity and modesty. Women wore dresses with a high collar and long sleeves that emphasized a thin waist due to corsets. Pale skin was considered the standard, as tanning was associated with outdoor labor. The face had to remain as natural as possible, with minimal makeup.
Interesting fact: Because of overuse of corsets, doctors of that era began to warn of their health hazards, which eventually led to the appearance of more comfortable clothing models.
At the same time, the 20th сentury can be interesting because each decade of the 20th century dictated its own standards of beauty:
Period | Beauty Standards |
1920s | Bright lips, thin eyebrows and short haircuts were the hallmarks of the flapper style, which reflected the spirit of freedom after World War One. |
1950s | The hourglass figure gained popularity thanks to stars such as Marilyn Monroe. Bright red lips and curled hair became a trend. |
1970s | Naturalness came to the fore: minimal makeup and long hair without styling. |
1990s | The desire for an athletic body and tanned skin became the new ideal of beauty thanks to the popularity of models such as Cindy Crawford. |
Lifehack: To create a look in the style of any decade of the 20th century, just focus on the key details. For example, for the 1920s, use thin eyeliner and dark lipstick. For the 1950s, create the perfect curls with large curlers and emphasize your lips with red lipstick. Want to embody the 1970s? Forgo the blow dryer and let your hair dry naturally, adding a light oil for shine. And for a tanned and sporty look from the 1990s, use a bronzer and pay attention to moisturizing your skin for a healthy glow.
Modernity: Individuality above All
Today's beauty ideals focus on uniqueness and health. Natural shapes and an emphasis on individual features are encouraged. Instead of standards of attractiveness, people seek to express their individuality through clothing, makeup, and grooming.
Interesting fact: Today in the world of fashion and beauty, unpredictability and rejection of templates are valued. A similar trend is observed in art: some artists create portraits and paintings using coins, symbolizing the uniqueness and diversity of each person. Such works are valued for their creativity and ability to combine history and individuality.
Beauty Beyond Time
Beauty is not just a reflection of an era, but a constant movement between tradition and innovation. In every century we find inspiration for new images and ideas. What inspires you? Maybe it is your individuality that will become the new standard for future generations.