1855, from aesthetic + -ism.

(1) In general, any literary movement that encourages critical or artistic focus on the experience of beauty rather than focuses on didactic messages or seeking truth. (2) More specifically, a Victori [..]

The doctrine that aesthetic values - judgements about beauty - are the most important in assessing a work of art, and that art is an end in itself and does not require a religious, moral, or didactic [..]

19th century aestheticism holds that art should be independent of social, political, or moral teaching. Hence the doctrine of l'art pour l'art (see Art for Art's Sake below), a concept derived from the philosopher Immanuel Kant as well as Edgar Allan Poe's argument that the supreme poem is one written for its own sake. Aesthetic [..]

A literary movement in the nineteenth century of those who believed in “art for art’s sake” in opposition to the utilitarian doctrine that everything must be morally or practically useful. Key figures of the aesthetic movement were Walter Pater and Oscar Wilde.

Aestheticism is the view that art is autonomous, should serve no other purpose and should not be judged by non-aesthetic standards.

Today aestheticism is considered a mostly 19th century philosophy, which is perhaps best summed up by Victor Cousin’s famous phrase ‘art for the art’s sake’ Followers of aestheticism thought that art [..]

A doctrine which holds aesthetics or beauty as the highest ideal or most basic standard.