An art movement supporting the emphasis of aesthetic values more than social-political themes for literature, fine art, music and other arts. It was particularly prominent in Europe during the 19th century. It was related to other movements such as symbolism or decadence in France, or decadentismo in Italy, and may be considered the British version of the same styles.

Artists associated with the Aesthetic style include James McNeill Whistler, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Aubrey Beardsley. Although the work of Edward Burne-Jones was exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery which promoted the movement, it also contains narrative and conveys moral or sentimental messages and hence falls outside the given definition.