Concetti Chiave
- English Aestheticism was a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in 19th century Europe, breaking away from Victorian Puritan values.
- The movement opposed the strict morality of the Victorian Age, which masked societal issues and demonized artistic expressions of sexuality.
- Aestheticism focused on the pursuit and appreciation of Beauty and Art, with style being a primary means of expression.
- Oscar Wilde, a key figure in English Aestheticism, emphasized that the sole purpose of art is to create Beauty, rendering moral judgments irrelevant.
- The movement encouraged individuals to view life itself as an art form, advocating for a life filled with diverse experiences and emotions.
Origins of English Aestheticism
English Aestheticism is cultural, artistic and literary movement, flourished in Europe during the 19th century.
Aestheticism flourished after a strong and violent break with the Victorian Age, that was characterized by a Puritan culture which demonized sexuality in every form (artistic too). Moreover, Puritanism of Victorian Age was characterized by a strict morality, based on values, that had to be respected in order to be respectable; however this cultural conception was effective: in fact, this values were only a mask in order to hide many social problems.
Valuing Beauty and Art
Aesthetic movement is based on the valorization of Beauty, Art and its aim is the research of Beauty, especially through the style. One of the most important English writer of Aestheticism is Oscar Wilde, whose masterpiece is The Picture of Dorian Grey, which expresses in its characteristics the most important feature of Aestheticism.
Oscar Wilde affirmed that artists and art create Beauty – that is the only aim of artistic works – so there are not immoral books, but just books that are or not well written.
Life as a Work of Art
Moreover, artists have to research Beauty in their life too, because life as well is a work of art that has to be discovered. In fact, according to aesthetic movement’s conception, in order to live a true and beautiful life it’s necessary to feel every emotion and experiment everything.
Domande da interrogazione
- What cultural shift led to the rise of English Aestheticism in the 19th century?
English Aestheticism emerged as a reaction against the Puritan culture of the Victorian Age, which was marked by strict morality and the demonization of sexuality. This movement sought to break away from these constraints and focus on the valorization of Beauty and Art.
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