Is The Picture of Dorian Gray an affirmation or a condemnation of aestheticism?

The artists and writers of the Aesthetic movement tended to hold that the Arts should provide refined sensuous pleasure, rather than convey moral or sentimental messages.

Dorian expresses his desire to sell his soul to ensure the portrait Basil has painted would age rather than himself. Dorian's wish is fulfilled, plunging him into debauched acts. In the end, justice is served to Dorian and the story contains a very strong moral point of view.

Therefore, I would say the story condemns aestheticism.
 
The artists and writers of the Aesthetic movement tended to hold that the Arts should provide refined sensuous pleasure, rather than convey moral or sentimental messages.

Dorian expresses his desire to sell his soul to ensure the portrait Basil has painted would age rather than himself. Dorian's wish is fulfilled, plunging him into debauched acts. In the end, justice is served to Dorian and the story contains a very strong moral point of view.

Therefore, I would say the story condemns aestheticism.
 
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