| 1843–6 | 1843–6 Aesthetics of Nature

Ørsted's lifelong dedication to working out aesthetics of nature is resumed. Ørsted is convinced that the correspondence between laws of nature and aesthetical enjoyment endows the arts with a dimension of objectivity. This conviction was already confirmed by the sonorous figures, and is now amplified by geometrical rules in general and by symmetry in particular. Examples of symmetrical patterns are worked out by Ørsted and Andersen. Ørsted's dialogue ‘The Fountain’ and his circle of colours are further examples. The beauty/ ugliness of certain animals and plants, and the close relationship between Ørsted's aesthetical ideas and a selection of Andersen's fairy tales are discussed. Erik Paulsen's painting of the Sarps Force is used to illuminate Ørsted's view of natura naturans.—The cooperation between Eckersberg and Ørsted to teach natural philosophy to young artists. Ørsted's 17 lectures on the aesthetics of nature are introduced.