Question

What was the name of the movement that embraced the principle of art for the sake of beauty and beauty alone?

• A. Neo‑romanticism
• B. Emotionalism
• C. Aestheticism
• D. Surrealism

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Aestheticism

The movement that embraced the principle of "art for art's sake" is known as Aestheticism.

Key Features of Aestheticism:

• Valued beauty and artistic expression over moral, social, or political messages.

• Emphasized sensory experience and refined taste.

• Rejected the idea that art needed to serve a utilitarian purpose.

Key Figures:

• Oscar Wilde was a prominent advocate, along with figures like Walter Pater and James McNeill Whistler.

Wilde’s works, including The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, exemplify Aesthetic principles by prioritizing wit, style, and beauty over didactic content.