The Legacy of Aubrey Beardsley
Aubrey Beardsley lived a short life of twenty five years. His drawings, many used to illustrate books and posters, had a sense of foreboding about them, often with androgynous figures with cruel expressions. Kenneth Clark, the art critic and writer says that Beardsley knew about Evil.
(Left, Aubrey Beardsley, The Black Cape)
(Right, Condé Nast Vogue Cover, 1920s)
His many illustrated books included: Oscar Wilde’s play “Salomé”, an art an literary magazine called “The Yellow Book” of which he was the art editor, and Alexander Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock”.
( Left: Aubrey Beardsley's Cover design for Smithers catalogue of rare books)
(Left: Condé Naste Vogue Cover, 1920s)
(Right Aubrey Beardsley, Isolde)
Close to his death (due to tuberculosis) he converted to Catholicism and died at the very end of the nineteenth century.
These Condé Nast Publications for Vogue Magazine reminded me of Beardsley’s illustrations. Most of the Vogue illustrations are from the turn of the twentieth century (1912-15). Beardsley’s beautiful (but disturbing) images have found their true place. Decorating the women he tried so much to put in a favorable light.
(Left: Aubrey Beardsley: La Dame aux Camelias)
(Right: Condé Nast Vogue Cover, 1920s)
(Aubrey Beardsley: The Peacock Skirt)
