1. a philosophical or artistic movement emphasizing the pursuit of beauty and aesthetic experience as the highest values in life and art, often rejecting moral or social utility
Usage: often capitalized when referring to the 19th-century movement; also spelled 'aestheticism'
2. devotion to or preoccupation with beauty, artistic taste, and refined sensibility

Examples

• The estheticism of the late 19th century celebrated beauty in all its forms, regardless of practical purpose.
• Oscar Wilde was a prominent figure in the estheticism movement, advocating for art independent of moral judgment.
• Her estheticism was evident in her carefully curated home, filled with beautiful objects and fine art.
• The museum's estheticism approach prioritizes visual harmony and artistic merit above all else.
• Critics argued that estheticism ignored social responsibility in favor of pure aesthetic pleasure.
• The designer's estheticism influenced every detail of the collection, from fabric selection to color palettes.