Which phrase most accurately describes the late 19th-century aesthetic movement that deepened the divide between artists and the general public, ultimately paving the way for modernism?
Explanation
The late 19th-century aesthetic movement is best summarized by the phrase 'art for art’s sake,' which emphasizes appreciating art purely for its beauty and form rather than for moral, intellectual, or utilitarian purposes. This approach contributed to a growing separation between artists and the wider audience, laying the groundwork for modernist ideas.