Statue \"Artemis and the Doe.\"

¶ … statue "Artemis and the Doe." Specifically it will discuss the statue in terms of Plato's views on beauty. Contemplating this statue does lead to Plato's "notion of absolute beauty" for a variety of reasons. The statue is beautiful, and as such, brings out the beauty of the viewer and their inner soul and perfection.

There are several elements of this statue that coincide with Plato's views on beauty, simply because the statue represents many of the elements Plato feels are necessary for beauty. For example, Plato believes there are four Forms that make up the Intelligible Realms, along with Visible Realms. This statue offers elements in both the Realms, including one of the highest forms - beauty. The statue is beautiful and elegant to behold, and it is a masterful work of art, and so it belongs in the Intelligible Realm, which makes it one of the highest Realms in Plato's discussion of art and beauty. It also contains elements of nature, animals, and human figures, which make up some of the Visual elements of Plato's concept of Realms. Level One is the highest level of reality according to Plato, and this statue's beautiful elements qualify it for Level One status. However, there is more to the statue than simply Plato's Forms and elements.

The statue also appeals to the mind, which is one of the most important elements in Plato's concept of the Tripart Soul. The mind sees the beauty of the statue and recognizes its beauty and emotional appeal. The mind comprehends the Forms, (in this case beauty), and sees the immortality of the statue, which will live on forever, long after mortals have left the earth. Thus, the Form is eternal and permanent, which corresponds with Plato's beliefs on the mind, which he also believed was immortal. Therefore, the beauty of the statue lives on eternally, and it lives on in the minds of the people who view it and are touched by it, as well.