Adjectives that became nouns.

Question

Esta unión de lo práctico y lo bello era la principal característica del renacimiento.

Here when you put "LO" in front of an adjective it turns it into a noun? Is that correct?

Answer 1

Pretty much, yes.

Answer 2

Yes. Roughly your sentence translates as: This union of what's practical and beautiful was the main characteristic of the Renaissance.