How did St. Augustine explain the relationship between earthly beauty and absolute beauty?

St. Augustine’s perspective on aesthetics is deeply rooted in Neoplatonist thought, which he adapted through his Christian faith. He explained the relationship between earthly and absolute beauty by characterizing the former as a reflection—albeit a pale one—of the latter’s transcendence and sublimity.1

In this framework, beauty is understood as a divine order that conforms to mathematical laws, such as harmony and number. Augustine viewed the universe as inherently beautiful, even when it contains elements that appear ugly in isolation, such as sinners. He argued that just as the color black can be beautiful when used appropriately within a larger composition, individual "ugly" parts can contribute to the beauty of the whole.21

Ultimately, Augustine’s philosophy emphasizes that earthly beauty serves as a pointer toward a higher, divine reality. By experiencing the order and harmony in the world, one is essentially resonating with a cosmic order that originates from God. This approach distinguishes between the judgment of the senses and the superior judgment of reason, which is grounded in the divine laws of beauty.21