Aesthetics
The field of art is a broad variety or discipline of human activity, involving physical creativity, visual imagination, beauty, emotion, or other creative capacities to express personal creativity, aesthetic sense, or other sensitive aesthetic sense. Art historians note that throughout history, people have been trying to understand the nature and quality of art. Since ancient times, art has been criticized for its supposed subjectivity and the absence of a shared viewpoint. In recent years, however, more people have become aware of the importance of an objective standpoint when appreciating art. With this realization, more art scholars are conducting research in an attempt to shed light on the complexities and interrelations of art through systematic research.
Historically, the arts developed during the Middle Ages in Europe, where most of the population was illiterate and uneducated. Because of this, artists were very rare and powerful. Because artists were seen as powerful and respected, most people followed their lead and allowed their talents to be expressed in the form of painting. Early painters were not concerned with conveying messages, as the majority of the population did at the time. They simply used the available tools to make beautiful paintings that helped give life to the world.
Through the ages, different forms of art emerged, and over the years, various critical theories have been developed to enrich our understanding of the human condition and the role of art in this condition. Some critical theorists argue that art and the fine arts are inseparable, while others dispute this. Still, there are key terms that remain useful in appreciating the complexity and interrelationship of the fine arts.
Aesthetic Theory: According to this school of thought, the purpose of art may not be simply to produce a beautiful sight, but also to produce an aesthetic sense. An aesthetic evaluation of any piece of art may incorporate several different factors. For example, an aesthetic will consider how the painting or sculpture looks as it is placed on the wall. However, some other factors such as its placement, scale, shape, composition, and color are also considered by the aestheticians.
Aesthetics and Beauty: Aesthetics are thought to be the two main elements of aesthetic experience. They are associated with more than aesthetics with the physical sciences, like biology, physics, and chemistry. According to theists, beauty consists of the whole body structure, while others insist that beauty exists independent of the body. The physical sciences determine physical aspects, whereas aesthetics look at the psychological aspects. Both aesthetics make use of the five senses, which includes the visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile, and gustatory. Therefore, aesthetics and beauty are related, though not strictly speaking identical.
Aesthetics: Aesthetics are subjective while aesthetics are objective. According to estheticians, beauty is determined by a combination of five elements including: order, proportion, shape, color, and texture. Aesthetics therefore have a great impact on an aesthetic experience. Aesthetics have been the subject of endless debates especially between classical and modern aesthetics. While there has been considerable amount of debate on the definition of beauty, many scholars agree that beauty is the natural state of being.