Social and political turmoil enveloped England in the mid 19th century and was a result of the increasingly unstable state of Europe at the time, and of the increase in communication and awareness with and of other cultures. Technological advancements in industry and design bombarded the nation and the English reaction to these massive changes was a mixture of apprehensive enthusiasm and rejection thereof. The revolutions of 1848 impacted England greatly, although comparatively indirectly. The reign …showed first 75 words of 4051 total…

…showed last 75 words of 4051 total…d the final break from the rigid confines of what was traditionally perceived as high art. As well, the art criticism and exchange of ideas that occurred at this time was the beginning of the conceptualization of art and of meaning behind stylistic and "modern" progress. As well, the link between visual art and literature, which became so important in the following decades, was spawned and in turn aided the birth of the Aesthetic movement.