Vendela Kirsebom Photo: Aaron Stipkovich

How does one describe true beauty? Is it measured by the perfection of one's features? The chiseled nose, prominent chin, high cheekbones? Or is it more of a feeling one gets when gazing upon a face or body that elicits passion?

In the classic sense, it is the latter. Observing the great masters of art over the centuries, provides proof of this. The most powerful and well known sculptors and paintings of history were of women not depicted by today's standards of sheik. Roundness, curves, mystery and emotional depth were the pallet of choice. Venus De Milo, mysterious, rounded in form, all of the "Reubens" women included swollen bellies and breasts, Michealangelo's Sisteen Chapel ceiling is dominated by passionate figures. Here it is 2009 and we, all around the world are still captivated by these works. It is safe to say that the images of this type of "beauty" is universal and everlasting.

Today's standard of beauty is a far cry from Leonardo da vinci's Mona Lisa or Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Now we are bombarded by the slick, stick girl. The use of make up has become so dominant, it is hard to tell where a woman's eye really begins and ends. Black is fun for a kitschy piece or futuristic get up, but as a steady diet, it falls flat. Expressions are dead without feeling. Lighting becomes more important than the subject because the subjects are all the same. All women start to look alike.

Where is the true beauty?

Vendela Kirsebom Photo: Aaron Stipkovich

To answer this question, one needs to go no further than model and mother Vendela. Swedish super model Vandela aka Vandela Kirsebom embodies "classic beauty" not merely because she is clearly a woman with gorgeous features and a stunning body. She transcends the use of heavy makeup and lighting with her inner radiance. Vendela has the power of injecting passion into the viewer. She feels real and earthlike but at the same time unattainable. She oozes sensuality but from a adult woman point of veiw. Her body has carried a child and yet she exudes more glamour than a thousand stick models combined. Her face does not telegraph "I'm am an empty shell", but rather there is intelligence behind her eyes, an all knowing and understanding quality free of judgment. Natural light accentuates her glow. Her true beauty lies within the identifiable feelings she gives off that say, "I'm real, I'm warm, I'm a woman and a mother".

This is beauty at it's best, not disguised, but completely available for the world to see, feel, admire and aspire to. The message received is one of a passionate nature, accessible to all people, which is just how true beauty was meant to be.

---

Venus De Milo