aestheticism

[ es-thet-uh-siz-uhmor, especially British, ees- ]

noun

1. the acceptance of artistic beauty and taste as a fundamental standard, ethical and other standards being secondary.
2. an exaggerated devotion to art, music, or poetry, with indifference to practical matters.
3. a late Victorian movement in British and American art characterized by a dedicatedly eclectic search for beauty and by an interest in old English, Japanese, and classical art.

aestheticism

/ iːsˈθɛtɪˌsɪzəm; ɪs- /

noun

1. the doctrine that aesthetic principles are of supreme importance and that works of art should be judged accordingly
2. sensitivity to beauty, esp in art, music, literature, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of aestheticism¹

First recorded in 1855–60; aesthetic + -ism

Example Sentences

This is part the judgmental aestheticism of my mother hovering in my consciousness like a vengeful Jewish Yoda.

From The Daily Beast

Ruskin calls this a narrow asceticism; perhaps it was rather the result of a very subtle aestheticism.

From Project Gutenberg

Aestheticism and carnality are by no means as dissociate as the æsthete would have us believe.

From Project Gutenberg

Call it aestheticism, squeamishness, namby-pamby sentimentalism, what you will it is stronger than oneself!

From Project Gutenberg

Aestheticism (for so they named the movement,) did indeed permeate, in a manner, all classes.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a custom that is instinctively condemned by everyone from the standpoint of both hygiene and aestheticism.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ability
• art
• civilization
• fashion
• perception
• practice
• science
• skill