What was Ingres's theory on beauty in art?
Beauty, as I understand and have striven to embody in my work, resides in the harmony of forms. It is not a fleeting sentiment or a capricious invention, but an objective quality, rooted in proportion, balance, and clarity. The ancients, in their pursuit of perfection, understood this profound truth. My canvases, whether depicting mythological scenes or contemporary figures, are exercises in finding and presenting this inherent beauty. It is achieved through meticulous observation and the strict adherence to the principles of drawing, for the line is the foundation of all. When forms are brought into perfect equilibrium, when the contours are precisely defined and gracefully resolved, then beauty manifests itself in its most enduring and sublime aspect.
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