 Formalism (aesthetics)

Formalism in aesthetics is an approach to analyzing and interpreting works of art that emphasizes the formal elements of the artwork itself, such as line, shape, color, texture, composition, and structure, rather than its context, meaning, or emotional impact. This approach is grounded in the belief that the intrinsic qualities of an artwork can be understood independently of external factors like historical context, the artist's biography, or societal influences.