Aesthetic Values: What They Are, Characteristics, List And Examples

The sublime, the elegant, the beautiful and the ephemeral are some of the aesthetic values ​​that serve to express the beauty related to everything we perceive. However, we tend to believe that these values ​​always respond to the same principles or interests. The reality is that aesthetic values ​​can change according to different cultures and are always associated with a subjective component.

The perception of aesthetics is not something static, but rather transforms over time and its value depends on the eye of the beholder. What is a fact is that they are inherent to human experiences and that they give material, sentimental or emotional value to everything that surrounds us. In this Psychology-online article, we will talk about the aesthetic values: what they are, characteristics, list and examples that will help you distinguish all its qualities and their importance.

What are aesthetic values

Aesthetic values ​​are the criteria that each person has regarding what is considered beautiful or beautiful. Generally, they are very subjective and depend on the individual using them, as well as their historical and social context. Are the basic components of beauty and the true objective of artistic production.

In fact, they are active elements that allow us to interpret a work of art through its approach, as well as the new and original features that define it. Are the emotional components with which people give their own personal vision of the world Furthermore, they are variable over time, since the pieces of his vision are directly related to the historical moment.

Coupled with that, aesthetic values ​​are personal constructions according to individual realities and not only represent the thoughts of the creators, but also transmit their emotions and feelings. Specifically, they can be classified as follows:

  • Dissonant values: generate rejection.
  • Matching values: They stand out because they are harmonious and balanced.

Importance of aesthetic values

Aesthetic values ​​are of great importance as they inform the beauty of the physical world around us, so help people increase sensory richness and to maintain healthy relationships with others and with the environment. Thus, aesthetic values ​​are very important for the following reasons:

  • They allow establishing a value judgment positive or negative regarding pieces of art.
  • They establish the necessary qualities for art to be maintained over time.
  • They enhance the viewer’s experience.
  • They are ideal for establish the reaction to stimuli
  • They serve to appreciate chaos, drama, tragedy among other patterns such as human emotions that can be admired artistically speaking.
  • They help replicate artistic feelings and emotions about objects, people or other living beings, that is, they can be applied to everything around us.

Aesthetic values: what they are, characteristics, list and examples - Importance of aesthetic values

List of examples of aesthetic values

Now that you know what aesthetic values ​​are and what their characteristics are, let’s see examples of these values ​​so that you can identify them and understand them in their entirety:

1. Harmony

The value of harmony allows us to see how everything fits perfectly into a piece or element, leaving no room for criteria that do not correspond to it, that is, everything is appreciated in perfect balance For example, the notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony fit together in perfect harmony.

2. Perfection

One of the aesthetic values ​​that gives the vision of what has no errors or defects It is something that is related to what is completely finished and that could not be better. For example, many mothers and fathers see their children as perfect.

3. Beauty

Beauty is an aesthetic value that responds directly to harmony and perfection. It is related to the symmetrical and the subtle. However, there is no specific definition of beauty, since, like any aesthetic value, It depends on each person’s subjective interpretation For example, for some people a flowery field is synonymous with beauty and for others it is not.

4. Comedy

Do you want to know another aesthetic value? Comedy is related to laughter, joy and satire. It is part of a literary genre that is usually used to generate positive and happy reactions in the receivers. For example, the films of the Mexican comedian Cantinflas are full of comedic aesthetic values.

5. Lean

Slenderness has to do with vertical and horizontal shapes in perfect proportion Their purpose is to please the eye of the recipient and they always maintain their grace. For example, models are characterized by maintaining a slim figure.

6. Solemnity

If we talk about aesthetic values, this is related to the formality of some things. It is characterized by follow a defined, organized pattern and previously established. For example, academic graduation ceremonies stand out for having a lot of solemnity.

7. Delicacy

Delicacy is a value related to subtle sensations that awaken sensitivity In fact, it also has to do with fragility and finesse. For example, silk is considered a very fine and delicate fabric.

8. Majesty

How is aesthetic value determined? Specifically, majesty is associated with the greatness, the solemnity and the haughtiness For example, kings and queens of any country are often considered majestic and majestic.

9. Stunning

Another of the aesthetic values ​​that is related to the imposing and the admiration towards something or someone, that is, it has to do with the amazing and the magnificent. For example, the Sistine Chapel frescoes painted by Michelangelo Buonarroti are impressive to many people in the world.

10. Tragedy

This type of value is used in literary compositions to classify some types of texts. They intertwine drama with tragedy to provoke different sensations in the reader. A well-known example of this aesthetic value is William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, which contains love, sadness and pain.

11. Absurd

The absurd is an aesthetic value that escapes all logic. Is the logical that is within what is not logical and, due to its complexity, there may be many subjective examples of it that will depend on the global vision of the person who perceives it. For example, many of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint’s works are abstract and some call them absurd with a touch of genius.

12. Elegance

Within the aesthetic values ​​there is also elegance, which is nothing more than the simplicity and sobriety that is associated with luxury This value depends on different social times and cultural context. For example, for some the color black is elegant and for others white and red are.

13. Ridiculous

Although it may not seem like it, the ridiculous is framed within aesthetic values. In fact, it is a representation of what is out of context or place Sometimes it has a certain negative connotation, however, it is widely used within the literary genre as a resource to generate comedy. For example, the Mexican program “el Chavo del 8” is characterized by having different scenes based on the ridiculous.

14. Mystery

Mystery is an aesthetic value that has to do with what is not fully appreciated, but rather remains hidden without being fully revealed. The purpose of this value is express intrigue about what is not seen to fall into the plane of reflection. For example, some of Rembrandt’s portraits are filled with a certain mystery.

15. Sublime

The sublime is characterized because it generates an extraordinary elevation. Furthermore, philosophers often associate the sublime with the most impressive manifestations of humanity and of nature. For example, watching the sunset.

16. Ugliness

Another aesthetic value is ugliness, which evokes disorder and chaos It is the opposite of beauty and harmony. His proposal is totally subjective, since it does not respond equally to all perspectives. For example, for some people classical music is ugly, but for others it becomes sublime and majestic. It all depends on each criterion.

17. Chimera

The chimera is an aesthetic value that is related to the fantastic, what is unreal or what can hardly be. Furthermore, it also has to do with the illusion of something that is expected, but that is not real An example of a chimera would be dreaming of traveling the world on a bicycle in just 30 days.

18. Grotesque

The grotesque is an aesthetic value that refers to the opposite of beauty and balance. It refers to the exaggerated disproportions that cause displeasure It is usually something in poor taste and tends to be rude and unpleasant.

19. Entertaining

Entertaining is used to refer to what keeps our attention trapped For example, television shows and series are entertaining, as are movies. If you want to understand it better, we recommend reading this article about the types of attention in psychology and their characteristics.

20. Obscenity

The aesthetic value of obscenity takes on different meanings according to the social environment, historical time and culture. Generally, it has to do with that which is morally questionable Therefore, examples are very subjective and ambiguous in certain contexts.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Aesthetic values: what they are, characteristics, list and examples we recommend that you enter our Social Psychology category.

Bibliography

  • Well, M. (1957). Art and aesthetic values. https://cdigital.uv.mx/bitstream/handle/123456789/3320/1957003P23.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  • Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from: iep.utm.edu.
  • Levno Plato and Aaron Meskin (2013). Aesthetic values. Encyclopedia of quality of life research.

You may be interested:  What is a Taboo? Its Characteristics and Psychological Effects