Beauty and human body in ancient history?

L

Lisa

New member
I was doing some research and noticed how most women who were in paintings or the subjects of statues had what we now today call "cankles." Its funny that in the past, women who had them must have been more desirable but people today cant stand them or its regarded as something that makes you fat, and or un normal. What are your opinions on the perception of the human body, or why do you think people have changed their views on what we consider beauty (past, chubbier more desirable, present, stick thin more attractive?)
 
As far as I can tell, the ideals for beauty usually revolve around wealth. In the past, when the poor were having trouble feeding themselves, having a little extra weight was a sign of beauty. Now that gyms and health food is expensive, thin is a sign of beauty.
The same applies to skin tone. For most of European history, being pale was considered beautiful because only the poor had to go out in the sun and work all day. Now that most people in the Western world have switched to office jobs, having the time and leisure to get a tan is now a sign of wealth and hence beauty. In many poorer countries, like India and Mexico, being pale is still considered better because the see pale people, like Europeans and white Americans are wealthier overall.

This is not always true. For example, Botticelli's women are thin, leggy and blond. They would be perfect for a modern cover shoot.
 
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