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One famous saying assures us that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, some could argue that things can be objectively beautiful.

For example, colorful sunsets and ancient marble sculptures are often considered pleasing to the eye. Our inner desire for perfection also prefers symmetrical faces that stand out as examples of beauty.

The fact that there might be objectively beautiful things also lets you argue that the opposite can be true—some things can be objectively ugly. The list below is proof of that.

Uglydesign is an Instagram page curated by Jonas Nyffenegger and Sébastien Mathys. When interviewed by Bored Panda a few years back, they said that for them, this account is “an incredible source of inspiration and joy.”

Over the years, the account’s popularity only grew and now they are at 755,000 followers and counting. Scroll down to see the best of the worst of their feed.

While as a word, “ugly” has a lot of negative connotations, ugliness itself does not necessarily equate to something that’s bad. A great example of that is ugly cute animals.

From the big-eyed innocent tarsiers to sleepy-looking sloths, ugly cute animals are adored by many. The reason for that is that a lot of them have baby-like features that appeal to our instincts to protect the vulnerable. 

But what about those really ugly animals? Like that fish that just looks like a melting face of a chubby man. Does it really evoke our primal care instincts? 

When talking to National Geographic, Hiroshi Nittono, director of the Cognitive Psychophysiology Laboratory at Osaka University, says that it's true, sometimes that's not the case. Rather, they make us experience “whimsical cuteness” that’s a little out of the ordinary. This oddness is funny, which is what makes them so appealing.

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Ugliness can also be fascinating. For example, one of the most popular paintings in London’s National Gallery is a piece by the 16th-century Flemish master Quentin Matsys. The image is a portrait of a woman with a disfigured face and is commonly called “The Ugly Dutchess.”

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WayoftheStarPrincess
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love these. They're funny both for the scifi fans and, I suspect, some more adult oriented anime fans...

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For years, many theorized that this is a piece of satirical imagery, one that is supposed to represent the difference between outside and inside beauty. Her dress is gorgeous and youthful but her face is not. However, in the late '80s, a new theory was proposed, suggesting that she might have had Paget’s disease, which causes malformed bones.

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Agfox
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"My Grandad's a vegetable" "OMG, I'm so sorry, is he in hospital?" "No, not like that!"

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Today, this painting is the most famous work of Matsys and a hit with audiences, at least judging by the Gallery sales of the postcards featuring the portrait, which compare to Claude Monet’s famous Water-Lily Pond.

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The Scout
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, three years ago this would have been the ultimative demonstration of wealth...

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Xenon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anti-mugger jacket. "I'm not robbing that crazy woman!!"

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The concept of ugliness also evolves over time. Something that is perceived as ugly now could be considered beautiful in the future. The most obvious example of that is fashion and beauty trends. One day, high-rise jeans are reserved for moms only, and the next they’re the season’s hottest item. Same can be said for fanny packs, bucket hats, and flared jeans.

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Francis
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i kinda like it :D it won't bend as easyli as the normal cable

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Something as majestic and awe-inspiring as mountains also used to be considered ugly. According to Stephen Bayley, the author of Ugly: The Aesthetics of Everything, people used to despise them. “Mountains were once thought disgusting: they were dangerous, frightening and home to nasty demons and bandits.” Certainly not a place you would sing praises to.

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The best architectural example of an ugly thing that ended up being admired by everyone is the Eiffel Tower. Many contemporary minds at the time united under the common hate for the tower. Maupassant called it a “giant ungainly skeleton” while Bloy said it’s a “truly tragic street lamp.”

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The Scout
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing ugly about this... Maybe an attempt to get children to eat their greens?

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Francis
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's a funny pic. no cringe here (i guess that happens due to the air flow from below?)

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But this “hideous column with railings,” as Huysmans put it, is now admired by many. It is Paris’s biggest tourist attraction and is often the first thing that pops into someone’s head when they think of Paris.

So, maybe ugliness isn’t that objective. Just like the ideals of beauty, the “ideals” of ugliness also change all the time and depend on many variables. Which means that the things on this list might not be ugly for everyone. Except for that flip-flop-shaped fry holder. Everyone agrees that’s awful, right?

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SuperChicken
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would've been a lovely dress, if it weren't for the zipper sticking out like a sore thumb.

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SuperChicken
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think this is ugly, but he looks sad. (edit: spelling)

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Dani M
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did he bring home the wrong kid from daycare and the mom made him this outfit?

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Corinne
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Took me a while to realise what's going on here...as long as there unused.....

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SuperChicken
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember that movie, So Fine, with Ryan O'Neal. That was pretty funny.

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Note: this post originally had 88 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.