noun
beauty of form; sculptural beauty
Refers to the aesthetic appeal of a shape or form, whether natural (e.g., landscapes, living things) or man-made (e.g., sculptures, designed objects). Often used in art criticism and nature appreciation.
この彫刻は造形美が際立っている。
This sculpture stands out for its beauty of form.
自然の造形美に感動した。
I was moved by the beauty of nature's forms.
Compound of 造形 (zōkei, 'molding, shaping, form') + 美 (bi, 'beauty'). The kanji 造 means 'create' or 'build', and 形 means 'shape' or 'form'. The variant 造型 uses 型 ('mold, model') instead of 形, with a similar meaning.