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The Aesthetic Movement The Aesthetic Movement was a term used to describe a movement of the 1870s and 1880s that manifested itself in the fine and decorative arts and architecture in Britain and subsequently in the USA. Reacting to what was seen as evidence of philistinism in art and design, it was characterized by the cult of the beautiful and an emphasis on the sheer pleasure to be derived from it. In painting there was a belief in the autonomy of art, the concept of ART FOR ART’S SAKE, which originated in France as a literary movement and was introduced into Britain around 1860. One of the most influential artists of this movement was an American by the name of James McNeil Whistler (1834-1903) who brought a totally new style of art to Britain. Whistler was very interested in art from the East and his influence is shown in many of his works.
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