The Aesthetic Movement - L’art pour L’art
Definition
"Art for art's sake" is the usual English rendering of a French slogan from the early 19th century, "l'art pour l'art", expresses a philosophy that the intrinsic value of art, and the only "true" art, is divorced from any didactic, moral, or utilitarian function.
Aesthetic Movement
From 1860 to 1900 artists, architects and designers in Great Britain attempted to reform design and culture and believed that art in its various forms should not seek to convey a moral, sentimental or educational message but should give visual pleasure. Their aim was “to exist beautifully”.
The artists created a movement and used their work to change the way people experience life through art, it was intended to evoke a mood and personally connect with the viewer. There was also interest in synaesthesia, utilising imagery to activate another sensual response to deepen the viewing experience. This caused some unsettlement as previously art had always needed to be “read” not felt.
They wanted a new way of living and appreciating art. It was an act of defiance after witnessing the ‘ugly’ and soulless design styles revealed in the 1851 Great Exhibition. The aesthetes attitude was bohemian, the press and public treated the reformers with suspicion, they were believed to have radical ideas that were considered to be unnatural, unhealthy and possibly dangerous. Newspapers and magazines continued to document the behaviour and work of aesthetes, concern over their ideas later turned to ‘friendly’ ridicule, observing them to be flamboyant and contrary.
The Great Exhibition of 1851 James Duffield Harding (English, 1798-1863)
The counter culture dedicated to pure beauty drew in designers, architects, poets, philosophers and craftworkers who also rejected the materialism and morally sententious art of the Victorians. Beauty being subjective allowed for eclecticism, the only intention was to visually please and extend this pleasure to all areas of life.
Aesthetic Artists, Writers, Poets & Architects
Beauty
Théophile Gautier, a French poet wrote “L’art pour l’art” in the preface to his book, Mademoiselle de Maupin in 1835. “L’art pour l’art” translates in English to “art for art’s sake” Walter Pater, a writer and art critic, included this expression in reviews and essays such as ‘Studies in the History of the Renaissance’ compiled in 1873, he writes, “Of such wisdom, the poetic passion, the desire of beauty, the love of art for its own sake, has most. For art comes to you proposing frankly to give nothing but the highest quality of your moments as they pass, and simply for these moments sake.”
Aesthetic Artwork
Aesthetic Interiors
During this time where art became self-definition and with the recognition that beauty should be incorporated into everyday life the “House Beautiful” ideal became revolutionary in interior design. Although previously interiors had been exceptionally beautiful, it was very much a similar theme throughout a home. Individuality and global inspiration meant that interiors didn’t necessarily need to flow seamlessly from one room to another. It was about creating spaces that evoked a mood similar to aesthetic artists paintings.
Art & Lifestyle
Oscar Wilde was another advocate of the movement especially influenced as a student by Walter Pater. Wilde was focused on principles of Aestheticism, his early poetry and years of lectures throughout America, England and Ireland detailed his pursuit of beauty. His aim, to be surrounded by it and see it for nothing more than beauty alone. Morality was not essential and his own creative work reflected this, the intention was to capture and imagine aesthetic allure without it being tainted by social or political issues. Wilde lived his life as a work of art. Aesthetes were creating an escape from normality. They were rebelling in order to state that beauty can be extracted from everything.
Decadent
The Decedent Movement originating in France had a broad impact, with some aligning values to the Aesthetic Movement, it was a focus on pleasure, a fascination with unusual (for the time) design styles as well as creating art for arts sake. Oscar Wilde was seen as a leading decedent figure in this movement as well as other artists and writers, however some aesthetes including Walter Pater resisted association. The Decadent Movement also valued material excess and wanted to address the social and political purpose of art unlike aesthetes and the aesthetic movement.
Impact
The Aesthetic movement ended after a scandal. Oscar Wilde had issued a court summons for libel to the father of his male lover causing evidence against himself to come to light. Wilde was arrested and tried with the 2nd trial leading to him being sentenced to 2 years hard labour for indecency with other males. In 1897 Wilde relocated to France and remained there until his death. This case discredited him and his beliefs with the general public.
Although the end of the Aesthetic Movement, the impact was felt throughout the 20th century and made way for the popular Art & Crafts Movement that began at a similar time (1860 - 1920) taking inspiration from Medieval and Romantic periods it focused on quality and utility of design and was also known as the anti industrial movement.
Quotes
OSCAR WILDE, 1890 “Beauty has as many meanings as man has moods. Beauty is the symbol of symbols. Beauty reveals everything, because it expresses nothing. When it shows itself, it shows us the whole fiery-coloured world.”
WILLIAM MORRIS, 1880 “If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
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