In this seminar, Erin Griffey and Victoria Munn studied historical ideas of beauty, with a specific focus on the extensive beauty regiments performed by women during the European renaissance. Puzzling over categorizations and translations of these beauty recipes, both Griffey and Munn were able to draw connections to present-day beauty ideals and its interactions within art history. In explaining the similarly styled portraits from women in early modern Europe, of clear skin and the highlighting of one’s natural beauty.
This seminar stood out in particular because, unlike the others, it had taken me longer to gain interest.
I say this, not to condescend but to start a conversation.
As a budding researcher, I’ve found that a question almost as daunting as one’s research question, is what if nobody cares? What if, after years of extensive reports and research, the findings are unsatisfactory and the significance minimal?
Both questions, I’ve been chewing on throughout this semester in regards to carving my own research question. But I guess in reflection, this is the leap of faith all researchers must take.
Not all research is praised and placed on pedestals. Munn’s point on the consistency of beauty ideals throughout time intrigued me, because as a woman growing up in the twenty-first century surrounded continuously by ideals of “perfection”, it felt personal. By forming my research question with my identity in front, and the intent of transformative change, I hope this will place it in hearts instead.
Although my research may not directly affect or be of interest to most people, it will be influential to those who need it.
And that is enough for me.
