Aesthetic Beauty

For centuries, society has been filled with individuals who own own or collect various items of personal importance. Some people have often had self portraits of themselves made in order to maintain an image of their aesthetic beauty. Actual paintings were used before the invention of the camera, but even since then,  people have photographed themselves to maintain an image that never ages. In the story of Dorian Gray, we see that Dorian realizes this idea of a never aging portrait, and wishes to put his soul into this painting, so that the he will no longer age. This idea of a painting or self portrait does not display a representation of a person themselves,  but rather it conveys a moment in the past that is never changing. People don't only do this to portraits, but also to objects that they own, not for their purpose, but rather for their beauty. One example is those mothers who collect porcelain china, but never use it because they are for display only. The irony of people having any such object is that they do not own it for its purpose, but rather a personal meaning, or attachment. The idea that beauty can be conserved is a silly idea, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

-Ivan