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2700 BCE
"Standard of Ur"
The "Standard of Ur" was created in Mesopotamia around 2700 B.C. It has a beautiful array of colors and it is visual evidence of social order and shows how the people lived in Mesopotamia. -
1000 BCE
''Ceremonial Vessel with a Cover''
A ceremonial vessel with a cover is from the Shang dynasty and comes from bronze bells used in rituals. They were used to hold food and water for the deceased. The ceremonial vessel artifact has beautiful detailing and carvings. As well as a beautiful natural green color. -
575 BCE
"Ishtar Gate"
The "Ishtar Gate" from Babylon was made in 575 B.C.E. I find this artifact beautiful because of its vibrant color and the incorporation of dragons that were dedicated to Akkadian, the goddess of love, fertility, and war. -
350 BCE
"Aphrodite of Knidos"
The "Aphrodite of Knidos" statue is a marble statue that represents the nude beauty and ideal female body in Ancient Greece. -
1504
"Joan of Arc"
This drawing from Antonie Dufour's Lives of Famous Women, a French manuscript, is beautiful because it depicts a woman leading her horse and the French into battle, ready for whatever comes her way. -
''An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump''
''An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump'' is a painting by Joseph Wright. This painting shows its beauty from the attention to detail while painting the faces of those in the art piece. Its corporation of colors and shades bring the painting to life and in turn shows how truly beautiful it really is. -
''Exister, pour nous, crest sentir''
''Exister, pour nous, crest sentir'' is a saying from Rousseau, and it translates to ''For us, to exist is to feel''. This quote is beautiful because it means something profound and can be used as a mantra for people. -
''The Death of Socrates''
''The Death of Socrates'' is a beautiful oil painting by Jacques-Louis David. The painting is detailed, colorful, and vibrant. It depicts the ancient Greek philosopher in prison awaiting his death trial. -
"Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor, I"
"Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor, I" is a song from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a contemporary composer and child prodigy. "Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor" was written in 1788 and is considered beautiful because it is a symphony that shows different emotions and harmonies. -
''Napoleon Crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass''
''Napoleon Crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass'' is a painting by Jacques-Louis David that shows Napoleon following the path of ancient generals. The beauty within this painting is not only that the artist captured Napoleon and his horse in great detail but also the meaning behind the painting. -
"Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People"
"Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People" is a painting that represents democratic aspirations. Eugène Delacroix captured the beauty of Liberty's leading people while holding the French Flag. The blending of the oil on the canvas is smooth and accentuates the people in the painting. -
''The Third-Class Carriage''
"The Third-Class Carriage" is a painting that portrays the lower class traveling on a railway in the nineteenth century. French artist Honorè Daumier made the artwork. This painting is beautiful because it shows the lives of those in the lower class and how they had to travel. It captures their facial features and shows how genuinely uncomfortable travel was then. -
''Spoofing Evolution''
The ''Spoofing Evolution'' cartoon is a drawing that portrays the evolution of humans from apes, Charles Darwin theorized. This cartoon appeared in the London Sketch Book. It is beautiful because it shows the theory of where human beings came from. -
''A Doll's House''
"A Doll's House" is a theatrical masterpiece that conveys its beauty through the acting in the play. Nora, the wife and leading character, tries to free herself and find her way. -
"Les Demoiselles d'Avignon"
Pablo Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is an oil painting made in 1907. It represents beauty in how the oil paint blends very smoothly. The women in the painting are shown in a very detailed hand and creative way. -
"St. Louis Blues"
"St. Louis Blues" is a W. C. Handy's blues song in 1914. It is beautiful because the music expresses sorrow and emotion from African Americans at the time. -
"Hotter Than That"
"Hotter Than That" is a song that mixes jazz music and scat singing. This song was composed by Lillian Hardin and sung by Louis Armstrong. This song shows beauty through Armstrong's voice and the musical instruments used to create the "hot jazz". -
"Thunder Storm over Yosemite Valley"
Ansel Adams's "Thunder Storm over Yosemite Valley" is one of the most beautiful pictures I have seen. The storm clouds raining over the mountains and the fog coming off the trees are truly stunning. -
"Flower Power"
"Flower Power' captured by photographer Bernie Boston, is beautiful because it captures a peaceful protest against police officers. The boy in the picture is captured putting flowers into the barrel of the guns the officers hold. -
"A Day in the Life"
"A Day in the Life" is a song by The Beatles and shows its beauty through its Rock and Roll and its representation against cultural norms.