If debates about beauty in nineteenth-centuryFrance were ?erce, that was because beauty was seen to matter. Thiswas a world of political revolutions, of social reformism, of belief inprogress and human perfectibility. Why was it that beauty mattered somuch in such a world?.

Summary

In the context of nineteenth-century France, the intensity of debates about beauty stemmed from the perception that it held significant importance. At that time, society was undergoing political revolutions, advocating for social reforms, and embracing the ideas of progress and human betterment. In this milieu, beauty was deemed crucial since it symbolized the aspiration for a better society. People believed that a visually appealing and harmonious world corresponded with the progress and ideals they were striving for. Thus, the discussions on beauty were passionate as it was seen as an integral component of the transformative aspirations of the era.

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