decorative surfaces

Dante Gabriel Rossetti reading proofs of Sonnets and Ballads to Theodore Watts-Dunton

19th-century Aestheticism departed from Victorian utilitarianism and instead valued beauty in art. Originating as a counter-movement to industrialization, it emphasized sensory appeal, luxury materials, and intricate design details. Influences included Eastern design and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Its principles continue to inspire contemporary design, stressing individual expression and diverse cultural integration.Read More →