Walter Pater

Start Free Trial

Student Question

What are Walter Pater's characteristics of good style?

Quick answer:

Walter Pater's characteristics of good style emphasize ritual and aestheticism, aligning with his belief in "art for art's sake." His approach to writing and art focuses on the intrinsic beauty and sensory experiences they convey, often incorporating autobiographical elements with themes of friendship and love. Pater's work significantly contributed to the development of aestheticism and Renaissance art appreciation.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Pater was an English essayist, novelist, and fictional portrait writer. His work was focused on the elements of aestheticism which helped to form what we know today as Renaissance art. The main salient feature of style writing for Pater is that of ritual and aestheticism.  He views art or writing as "art for art's sake". Many of his works had autobiographical components in them with a focus on friendship and love.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial