Refers to the movement in England and the United States, from around 1890 into the early 20th century, which promoted various aesthetic approaches. Historically, has sometimes been applied to any photography whose intention is aesthetic, as distinguished from scientific, commercial, or journalistic; for this meaning, use "photography." For discussion of photography as a fine art, use "photography" plus "art theory." Regarding photography of art, use "photography" plus "art objects" or "works of art."

Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus

http://vocab.getty.edu/page/aat/300178594