The document discusses the concept of "art for art's sake". It originated in the 19th century French slogan "l'art pour l'art", meaning that art should be valued intrinsically and not serve any didactic, moral or utilitarian function. The phrase is associated with the English Aesthetic Movement of the late 19th century led by figures like Walter Pater who believed art needed only to be beautiful and should not convey moral messages. They rejected views that art should be useful or moral. Adherents felt life should imitate art and that nature lacked the design of art. The concept was influential for Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.