Decadence
a favorite modern term to express the idea that the successors in some degree are not as strong as the predecessors in the particular department about which an inquiry is made. It is the falling tide from some high-water mark.
The word is intentionally of fensive, but its use in the history of art is the least objectionable of all. Thus Grecian art attained its highest point of grandeur about 400 в. c., and all Grecian art of later date, some of it most exquisite in its genius, belongs to the decadent side of Grecian art. There are several periods of decadent art that may be found mentioned in the histories, but the one most discussed of late years is that of the French romancists of all schools. Those of the latter part of the last century are called decadents because they are thought less able, and more sensational than their predecessors.