Bozar exhibition explores Renaissance beauty standards through 90+ works by Botticelli, Leonardo, and Titian

The 'Beauty and Ugliness in the Renaissance' exhibition at the Brussels Center for Fine Arts (Bozar) showcases over 90 pieces from the late 15th to late 16th centuries. Curated by Chiara Rabbi Bernard, the display aims to shed light on the intricate relationship between beauty and ugliness during this transformative era. It features idealized works, including Botticelli's Allegorical Portrait of a Woman (circa 1490), likely representing muse Simonetta Vespucci, alongside grotesque images like Quinten Massys' Jester With Spoon (circa 1525-30). Renaissance artists, through anatomical insights, shaped beauty ideals, while ugliness highlighted marginalized figures. A notable portrait of 7-year-old Madeleine Gonzales (circa 1580) illustrates how elites viewed those with genetic conditions. The exhibition includes pieces by renowned artists such as Titian and Leonardo da Vinci, with joint portraits like Ill-Matched Couple examining how vices influence appearance. Critic Emily LaBarge from the New York Times mentions that the exhibit occasionally navigates ethically complex discussions about contemporary body language. Leonardo da Vinci's assertion that beauty and ugliness gain strength in contrast underpins the exhibition's examination of Renaissance aesthetics and morality.