Aestheticism: the pursuit of beauty and the pleasure of art that satisfies the senses
Aestheticism, which was born in Victorian England in the late 19th century, is an art movement that prioritizes the pursuit of beauty, with the slogan "art for art's sake." It placed emphasis on beauty, sensory pleasure, and the perfection of the artwork itself, rather than on morality or social messages. Works with refined aesthetic sense and decadent charm were produced in various fields, including literature, painting, music, theater, and fashion. In this article, we will explain the characteristics and historical background of aestheticism, representative artists and works, and the influence of aestheticism in the modern era. artgraph.jp sells posters that faithfully reproduce the masterpieces of the masters of aestheticism with high-definition giclee prints. Why not decorate your room with the world of beauty pursued by aestheticism and immerse yourself in the pleasure of art that satisfies your five senses?
What is aestheticism? - The autonomy of beauty and the sensory enjoyment
Aestheticism is an art movement that originated in the late 19th century in England. It rebelled against the strict moral values and social utilitarianism of the Victorian era, and advocated the autonomy of art and the pursuit of beauty. The slogan "Art for Art's Sake" represents the central idea of aestheticism. They believed that artworks exist not to convey moral lessons or social messages, but to express beauty for its own sake. Aesthetic artists placed emphasis on sensory pleasure and the experience of beauty, and sought to stimulate the five senses of viewers, listeners, and readers through their works.
The characteristics of aestheticism include the following:
- Pursuit of beauty: Aesthetic artists believed that beauty was the ultimate goal of art. They pursued refined beauty through the use of elements such as shape, color, texture, and sound. Beardsley's illustrations, with their delicate lines and beautiful black and white contrasts, are representative of Aestheticism.
- Sensory Enjoyment: Aestheticism emphasized the sensory pleasure and enjoyment that could be obtained through art. They created works that stimulated the five senses: sight, sound, and touch. Wilde's play Salome stimulates the senses with beautiful language and a decadent atmosphere.
- Emphasis on artificial beauty: Aestheticism emphasized artificial beauty over natural beauty. They tried to create artificial beauty through art, rather than imitating nature. Whistler's paintings are characterized by decorative compositions and colors influenced by Japanese art. His work "Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket" is an abstract depiction of the beauty of a firework explosion.
- Decadent Charm: Aestheticism sometimes expressed decadent beauty and depravity. They explored the dark side of humanity and forbidden desires through art, without being bound by social norms and morals. Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a masterpiece of aesthetic literature, depicting the depravity of a man seeking eternal beauty.
History of Aestheticism - Rebellion against Victorian Society
Aestheticism emerged in late 19th century England as a reaction against the strict morality of the Victorian era and the materialism that accompanied industrialization. Victorian society placed great importance on morality and social responsibility, and art was expected to contain lessons and moral messages. However, aesthetic artists argued that art should exist solely for art's sake, and should be free from social purposes and morality. They pursued beauty and joy, and sought to place art at the center of life.
Aestheticism was also influenced by the ideas of Walter Pater and the art criticism of John Ruskin. In "The Renaissance," Pater argued that art should "capture the intensity of the moment," while Ruskin stressed the importance of beauty while arguing that art has a moral responsibility. The Aesthetic movement came to an end in 1895 with the trial and imprisonment of Oscar Wilde. However, Aestheticism continued to have a major influence on 20th century art.
Representative Artists and Works of Aestheticism
Aestheticism includes many great artists, some of the most famous of which are Oscar Wilde, James McNeill Whistler, and Aubrey Beardsley.
- Oscar Wilde: Irish author, poet, and playwright. With his witty words and decadent beauty, he became a representative figure of aestheticism. His representative works include "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "Salome."
- James McNeill Whistler: American painter. He painted portraits and landscapes in a decorative style influenced by Japanese art. His representative works include "Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1" (commonly known as "Whistler's Mother") and "Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket."
- Aubrey Beardsley: British illustrator and graphic artist. With his erotic and decadent style, he became a representative illustrator of aestheticism. His representative works include the illustrations for "Salome" and the cover art for "The Yellow Book."
The Modern Influence of Aestheticism
Aestheticism has had a major impact on art since the 20th century. Various art movements, such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Surrealism, have been influenced by Aestheticism's aesthetic sensibility and pursuit of beauty. Aestheticism's elements are also often incorporated into modern fashion and design. Aestheticism continues to play an important role in contemporary art as a movement that asserted the autonomy of art and the importance of beauty.
Aesthetic masterpieces on artgraph.jp
artgraph.jp sells posters that faithfully reproduce masterpieces by masters of aestheticism, such as Wilde, Whistler, and Beardsley, in high-definition giclee prints. Why not decorate your room with the world of beauty pursued by aestheticism and immerse yourself in the pleasure of art?
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