décadents

Décadent is a term that describes a state of decline or decay, often associated with art, literature, and society. It emerged in the late 19th century, particularly in France, as a reaction against the prevailing artistic and social norms. The Decadent movement embraced themes of artificiality, sensuality, and morbid fascination, often exploring the darker aspects of human experience.

Key characteristics of Decadent art and literature include a focus on subjective experience, a rejection of naturalism, and an interest in exoticism and the decadent. Writers like Joris-Karl Huysmans, Oscar Wilde, and Charles Baudelaire are often associated with this movement. Their works frequently depicted characters who were bored, disillusioned, and seeking intense sensory pleasures, often to the point of self-destruction.

Socially, the term "decadent" was used to criticize perceived moral and cultural decline. It was often applied to aristocratic societies, suggesting a loss of vitality and a preoccupation with luxury and superficiality. This societal interpretation often carried a judgmental tone, implying a society that was losing its strength and heading towards collapse. The concept of decadence has continued to be a subject of discussion in cultural and historical analysis, representing periods of perceived decline or transformation.