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Beauty is the adjustment of all parts proportionately so that one cannot add or subtract or change without impairing the harmony of the whole.
Leon Battista Alberti
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Beauty is the harmonious arrangement of elements that cannot be altered without losing its essence.

This quote by Leon Battista Alberti emphasizes the importance of proportion and harmony in defining beauty. It suggests that beauty arises from a perfect balance of parts, where each element contributes to the overall aesthetic, and any alteration would disrupt this delicate equilibrium, demonstrating how interconnectedness plays a crucial role in artistic creation and appreciation.

Themes

BeautyHarmonyProportionArtAesthetics

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a discussion on the principles of design in an art class.

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