kids encyclopedia robot

Fin de siècle facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, At the Moulin Rouge
At the Moulin Rouge (1895), a painting by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec that captures the vibrant and decadent spirit of society during the fin de siècle
Beardsley-peacockskirt
Drawing by Aubrey Beardsley for Oscar Wilde's play, Salome

Fin de siècle means turn of the century in French. It is widely used for the time around 1900, but also for the closing of an old era, and the start of a new one.

Fin de siècle is sometimes used to mean the type of art, culture and way of behaving at the end of the nineteenth century. The end of the 19th century was felt to be a period of degeneration, but at the same time a period of hope for a new beginning.

The "spirit" of fin de siècle often refers to the cultural hallmarks that were recognized as prominent in the 1880s and 1890s, including 'pessimism', and a widespread belief that civilization leads to decadence.

The themes of fin de siècle political culture were very controversial and have been cited as a major influence on fascism. The major political theme of the era was that of revolt against materialism, rationalism, positivism, bourgeois society and liberal democracy.

Examples in literature

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fin de siècle para niños

kids search engine
Fin de siècle Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.