Literature Glossary
Don’t be an oxymoron. Know your literary terms.
Over 200 literary terms, Shmooped to perfection.
Aesthetic Movement
Definition:
If you're cool with appreciating a work of art just because it looks awesome, sounds awesome, or otherwise tickles your senses, then the Aesthetic Movement might be for you. Simply put, it's all about art for art's sake.
The whole sensual shebang started in the late 19th century. Writers and visual artists in the Aesthetic Movement argued that art should make you happy, period. Social, moral, or political messages? No thanks. The aesthetes believed life should imitate art in all of its fabulousness, not the other way around. Because life? Meh.
If you're amped to appreciate beauty for beauty's sake, start with some Oscar Wilde. The Irish poet, playwright, and author was the poster boy for the Aesthetic Movement in literature.