The Foundation of Bohemian Culture

Bohemian culture emerged as a response to the rigid societal norms prevalent during the Gilded Age, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This counter-cultural movement was characterized by a group of artists and writers who rejected conventional expectations regarding behavior and lifestyle. Prominent figures from this time, such as Walt Whitman and Mark Twain, were inspired by the bohemian ideals that flourished in Paris, seeking to emulate its embrace of artistic freedom and community living. Through this rejection of societal restraints, the Bohemians aspired to create art that would challenge and broaden the societal definition of acceptable norms, encapsulating a spirit of experimentation and individuality.