While as a word, “ugly” has a lot of negative connotations, ugliness itself does not necessarily equate to something that’s bad. A great example of that is ugly cute animals.
From the big-eyed innocent tarsiers to sleepy-looking sloths, ugly cute animals are adored by many. The reason for that is that a lot of them have baby-like features that appeal to our instincts to protect the vulnerable.
But what about those really ugly animals? Like that fish that just looks like a melting face of a chubby man. Does it really evoke our primal care instincts?
When talking to National Geographic, Hiroshi Nittono, director of the Cognitive Psychophysiology Laboratory at Osaka University, says that it's true, sometimes that's not the case. Rather, they make us experience “whimsical cuteness” that’s a little out of the ordinary. This oddness is funny, which is what makes them so appealing.
Ugliness can also be fascinating. For example, one of the most popular paintings in London’s National Gallery is a piece by the 16th-century Flemish master Quentin Matsys. The image is a portrait of a woman with a disfigured face and is commonly called “The Ugly Dutchess.”
For years, many theorized that this is a piece of satirical imagery, one that is supposed to represent the difference between outside and inside beauty. Her dress is gorgeous and youthful but her face is not. However, in the late '80s, a new theory was proposed, suggesting that she might have had Paget’s disease, which causes malformed bones.
Today, this painting is the most famous work of Matsys and a hit with audiences, at least judging by the Gallery sales of the postcards featuring the portrait, which compare to Claude Monet’s famous Water-Lily Pond.
The concept of ugliness also evolves over time. Something that is perceived as ugly now could be considered beautiful in the future. The most obvious example of that is fashion and beauty trends. One day, high-rise jeans are reserved for moms only, and the next they’re the season’s hottest item. Same can be said for fanny packs, bucket hats, and flared jeans.
Something as majestic and awe-inspiring as mountains also used to be considered ugly. According to Stephen Bayley, the author of Ugly: The Aesthetics of Everything, people used to despise them. “Mountains were once thought disgusting: they were dangerous, frightening and home to nasty demons and bandits.” Certainly not a place you would sing praises to.
