1. England’s Victorian Era

2. Historical Facts Spans Queen Victoria’s lifespan, 1837-1901 Time of great industry Telegraph laid under English Channel (1851) and across Atlantic (1857) First cigarettes sold in England (1851) Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace (1851) Darwin’s Origin of Species (1859) First intelligible telephone communication by Bell (1875) Edison invents light bulb (1879) Benz invents automobile (1885) Marconi invents wireless telegraphy (1895) Speed limit raised from 4 to 20 mph (1896)

3. Social Evolution Time of economic change Restricted working hours for children (1847) All tax-paying men given right to vote (1867) Women gain right to own property and keep money for themselves (1870) Compulsory primary education through age 11 (1870)

4. Socio-political Hallmarks More than half of population in cities Commercial classes gaining wealth, blurring who was considered a lady or a gentleman Working class still disgruntled-bad working conditions

5. The Arts Pre-Raphaelites (visual) Greatly influenced by nature Used great detail to show the natural world using bright and sharp focus techniques on a white canvas Sympathized with what is direct and serious and heartfelt in previous art, to the exclusion of what is conventional and self-parodying and learned by rote Objective: to produce thoroughly good pictures and statues

6. Aesthetic Movement (1860 – 1900) Art in its various forms should not seek to convey a moral, sentimental or educational message but should give sensual pleasure Goal was "to exist beautifully": Art for Art's sake Emphasis on aesthetic value over socio-political themes Wilde seen as a leading figure

7. Ideologies Intellectual positivism All knowledge must be based on empirical evidence Natural sciences established empirical investigation Doubts of religious truth AND reversion to Biblical fundamentalism “Woman Question”: Women campaigning for equal rights

8. Sexual Outlook Homosexualism is illegal Not prudes Modesty the rule of the day Sense of propriety guided perspective Much erotic art around (Yellow Book)