Dreams of Happiness

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In the wake of post-revolutionary France, various leftist ideologies sought to redefine society through aesthetics, aiming to harness art's transformative power. Neil McWilliam's investigation delves into movements like Saint-Simonianism and Fourierism, emphasizing their complex relationship with art and its societal role. By examining neglected critiques and political texts, he reveals how these radical philosophies influenced contemporary aesthetics while exposing their challenges in connecting with the working class. This work reshapes the understanding of French art's evolution after Romanticism and the cultural dimensions of political dissent.