"There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion"

Francis Bacon’s assertion that “there is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion” challenges conventional notions of harmony and perfection. Rather than viewing beauty as mere symmetry or conformity to established standards, Bacon highlights the allure of something unexpected or unique within what we find most beautiful. He observes that elements of surprise, peculiarity, or irregularity often distinguish true beauty from bland sameness.

Throughout history, both art and nature have demonstrated that impeccable symmetry can be impressive, but it is the slight differences, a dimple, an asymmetrical feature, a novel twist in form, that charm and captivate our attention. For Bacon, perfection is neither flawless nor sterile; it possesses soul, character, and individuality due to its departures from the ordinary. A classical statue might embody formal idealism, but it is the cracked patina or the subtle expression of emotion, deviating from the stoic mold, that grants it unique poignancy.

This insight applies not just to physical beauty but extends to all forms of excellence, including personalities, achievements, and works of art. The most memorable individuals often possess quirks or mannerisms that set them apart from the crowd, making them more human, more intriguing, and more memorable. In design, architecture, and literature, the distinctive flourish, sometimes what traditionalists might call a flaw, imbues a creation with vitality and depth.

What Bacon ultimately suggests is that beauty is not purely mathematical but existential; it is lived in the tension between order and surprise. Our perception is drawn to the novel, the slightly strange, because it signals authenticity and originality. Through strangeness in proportion, beauty transcends the mundane, evoking a deeper response, and hints at the infinite varieties found in both nature and human creativity.