aestheticism

UK: /iːsˈθɛtɪˌsɪzəm/

US: (es thet′ə siz′əm or, esp. Brit., ēs-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

aes•thet•i•cism  (es thet′ə siz′əm or, esp. Brit., ēs-), n. 

1. Philosophy the acceptance of artistic beauty and taste as a fundamental standard, ethical and other standards being secondary.
2. Philosophy an exaggerated devotion to art, music, or poetry, with indifference to practical matters.
3. Fine Art 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.

Also, estheticism. 

• aesthetic + -ism 1855–60

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

aestheticism, estheticism / 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