Aesthetic Movement


This week I have been reseaching for my essay on the Aesthetic Movement. A movement which preached 'Art of Art's sake' and involved individuals such as Oscar Wilde, John Rsukin, Whistler and Godwin. It can be argued that it was the predecessor to the Arts and Crafts Movement and that classic 'Morrison' look that we know so well today. Taking place in the last half of the 19th Century, it aimed to step away from the cheaply made nik naks of the industrial revolution and the cluttered wall spaces of the Royal Academy, and take pride in beautifully made objects, and carefully put together rooms. It had a knew air, completely different from the very heavy and sternly set opinions of the Victorians. The movement made way for the 'roaring' 20s and 30s, making way for art deco and art nouveau. 

Peacock Room

Linley Sambourne House 

Oscar Wilde 

Arguably the 'pin up' boy of the Aesthetic movement, and perhaps one of the first celebrities of our time. Oscar Wilde took the well set Victorian ideals and challenged them. His dress, his witty sense of humour, the interiors of his homes, all contributed to this knew aesthetic ideal. It is evident therefore that with his scandal, trial and demise in 1900, the aesthetic movement too died and lost popularity.