Dreamers 1882

Albert Joseph Moore created "Dreamers" using oil on canvas, but the date remains unknown. This aesthetic painting captures a scene of languid repose, typical of the late 19th-century Aesthetic Movement in Britain, which sought "art for art's sake," prioritizing beauty and sensory experience over narrative or moral content. Moore's work reflects a cultural fascination with classical antiquity. The draped figures, reminiscent of Greek sculpture, evoke a timeless world of beauty and leisure. Yet, this idealism masks the social realities of Victorian England. The absence of narrative and the focus on female beauty, combined with an increasing number of women artists, created a market for artwork that appealed to the middle and upper classes. To understand "Dreamers," we need to investigate the social conditions that enabled such a painting. By consulting exhibition reviews, personal letters and institutional records, the role of art in shaping cultural values can be uncovered.