Aesthetic Movement

Definition

The Aesthetic Movement was an art movement in late 19th-century Britain that rejected Victorian moralism and emphasized beauty over practical or political themes. Its motto was "art for art's sake."

Analogy

Imagine if you were decorating your room only based on what looks good to you without considering practicality - like having a bed made entirely out of marshmallows because it looks cool. That's kind of what artists were doing during the Aesthetic Movement!

Related terms

Art Nouveau: An international style of art, architecture and applied art that emerged in response to academic art at the end of 19th century.

Victorian Era: The period during Queen Victoria’s reign from June 1837 until her death on January 1901. It was marked by a high moral tone, industrial progress and colonial expansion.

Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: An art movement in the mid-19th century that rejected industrialization and sought to return to detailed, vibrant art of the early Renaissance.