Francis Bacon – On Beauty
Virtue is like a precious gemstone, most valuable in its simplicity, without adornments; indeed, virtue best suits a person of plain appearance, though not necessarily refined features, who possesses a dignified bearing rather than a beautiful exterior. It is not often observed that very beautiful individuals are endowed with great virtue; as if nature took more care not to make a mistake than to cultivate virtue. And therefore, such individuals appear complete, but lacking in exceptional spirit, and they strive more for good manners than virtue. But it is not always the case: for Augustus Caesar, Titus Vespasian, French king Philip the Fair, English King Edward IV, Alcibiades the Athenian, and Persian Shah Ismael – all of them were of cheerful and noble spirit, and yet the most beautiful people of their time. In beauty, the beautiful features of the face are more important than the complexion; and a decent and gentle expression means more than beautiful facial features. This is the most important part of beauty that a painting cannot express and cannot be seen at first glance. There is no perfect beauty that is not in proportion. and I’m the mood for a little quirkiness. One cannot say who was the greater joker – Apelles or Albert Dürer; the former tried to create one perfect face from the best features of five different faces, while the latter painted a likeness using geometric proportions. I think such faces can only be liked by the painter who painted them. I don’t think a painter can create a more beautiful face than ever existed, but they must do it with a kind of inspiration (just as a musician composes an excellent aria), and not by following rules. A person will see faces in which, if they observe part by part, they won’t find anything beautiful, yet as a whole they appear pleasant. If it is true that the most important part of beauty is the expression’s charm, then it’s no wonder that older people often look much sweeter; pulchrorum autumnus pulcher (the autumn of the beautiful is beautiful); because no young being can be sweet unless we forgive them and take into account that youth itself creates charm. Beauty is like summer fruits that easily spoil and don’t last. Longevity; youth generally makes one reckless, while old age is somewhat remorseful; but again, well-illuminated beauty will make virtue shine, and vice will be covered in a blush of shame.