I've admired the works of Aubrey Beardsley since meeting a friend in 1994 who was, is still, his doppelgänger, an odd introduction to a long deceased artist I know! Thank you for filling me in on details I had no knowledge of Jeffrey, one wonders how prolific he would have become had he lived to a ripe old age though?
If only he had lived to realize Byrne-Jones’s prediction about paintings. Another brilliant vocation cut short by tuberculosis. And yet, for 25, he accomplished something extraordinary: a singular style, prolifically expressed in the world.
Beardsley, I think, may well be an artist for the young, his cartoonish style appealing in its simplicity but filled with darkness and a strange, almost evil, veneer. I discovered Beardsley via the Pre-Raphaelites and the resurgence of Art Nouveau that came in the 1970s. I love the feel his work has of being very intricate and special bookplates.
I have long loved Beardsley's work and would love to see them in the flesh. His work is so fine and meticulous, extraordinary that they are pen and ink. Thank you for such a fascinating piece.
There hasn't. There was one when the first lockdown occurred, I think at the RA, and although I had bought a ticket in advance, was unable, of course, to go. Like you, I have long had a fascination with his work.
I've always liked Art Nouveau 🎨, not sure what it is about it. Maybe it's the elongated figures, and that fact that it's evocative of a particular period. That being said, I hadn't heard of Aubrey Beardsley until your essay. Always educational and entertaining, Jeffrey! 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for your kind words, Holly. Your comment about the quote from Beardsley also makes me wonder if he might have turned into an interesting writer (he was already writing for periodicals).
I never knew he died so young! Thank you for this, Jeffrey, I've always admired his work and def the Japanese/Art Nouveau influences. I'll concur with Michael - you are the Docent of Culture for many of us...
Thanks, Troy, so glad you're also a Beardsley fan! I felt lucky to get the chance to briefly immerse myself in his work. And as for docent - as I commented to Michael, we're all learning from each other on Substack (I've defintely learnt from both of you).
I’d forgotten how young he was when he died. What an extraordinary body of work. I remember seeing Salome for the first time and not being able to take my eyes off it. I had the same thought as you, about what he would have gone on to produce…
Yet another fascinating read, Jeffrey. This is random thing to say, but I feel like you are my own personal history/art/culture teacher. And you you teach me about artists and writers I didn’t even know existed. It’s very cool. :)
I knew of Beardsley's illustrations for Wilde's Salome, and that they were part of the play's scandalous reputation - the example here demonstrates why. Even so, grotesque doesn't seem the correct term for Beardsley's work, which is so clearly within the art nouveau tradition. I think the word has changed sense a little over the years, as the term grotesque in my mind indicates something like a caricature.
Another lovely report on an exhibition. I share your opinion of Beardsley brilliance and have always appreciated his work as epitomising individual graphic style. I can almost feel myself viewing the exhibits over your shoulder (not positioned too closely, of course, that's so annoying). You give social context, critical comment, the interesting details of the life - a very satisfying amount of content in such economical form. Thank you again, Jeffrey, your writing gives me a lot of pleasure.
I've admired the works of Aubrey Beardsley since meeting a friend in 1994 who was, is still, his doppelgänger, an odd introduction to a long deceased artist I know! Thank you for filling me in on details I had no knowledge of Jeffrey, one wonders how prolific he would have become had he lived to a ripe old age though?
Wow, Susie, what better introduction to an artist than via their doppelgänger?
I like how Beardsley's art feels both modern and retro.
That’s an interesting perception! I can see what you mean.
Another truly fascinating article, Jeffrey. I always look forward so much to your writing, and I learn something new and wonderful every time.
Thank you so much, Oonagh, for such kind words. I'm really glad you enjoyed this.
If only he had lived to realize Byrne-Jones’s prediction about paintings. Another brilliant vocation cut short by tuberculosis. And yet, for 25, he accomplished something extraordinary: a singular style, prolifically expressed in the world.
I like how you lead us to our imagination. What would’ve his art and life looked like had he lived longer?
That would make for an interesting novel!
I look forward to getting a signed copy from you Jeffrey! 😉
🙂
The darkness is there, I agree, and that was part of what drew me to his work all those years ago.
Beardsley, I think, may well be an artist for the young, his cartoonish style appealing in its simplicity but filled with darkness and a strange, almost evil, veneer. I discovered Beardsley via the Pre-Raphaelites and the resurgence of Art Nouveau that came in the 1970s. I love the feel his work has of being very intricate and special bookplates.
I have long loved Beardsley's work and would love to see them in the flesh. His work is so fine and meticulous, extraordinary that they are pen and ink. Thank you for such a fascinating piece.
Thank you for reading, Deborah. There haven't been too many exhibitions of his work, so I jumped at the chance to see this one.
There hasn't. There was one when the first lockdown occurred, I think at the RA, and although I had bought a ticket in advance, was unable, of course, to go. Like you, I have long had a fascination with his work.
I've always liked Art Nouveau 🎨, not sure what it is about it. Maybe it's the elongated figures, and that fact that it's evocative of a particular period. That being said, I hadn't heard of Aubrey Beardsley until your essay. Always educational and entertaining, Jeffrey! 🙏🙏🙏
Glad you enjoyed it, Lani!
Jeffrey, you’re a fantastic reviewer.
And I love what Beardsley said about vision and the page.
Thank you for your kind words, Holly. Your comment about the quote from Beardsley also makes me wonder if he might have turned into an interesting writer (he was already writing for periodicals).
I never knew he died so young! Thank you for this, Jeffrey, I've always admired his work and def the Japanese/Art Nouveau influences. I'll concur with Michael - you are the Docent of Culture for many of us...
Thanks, Troy, so glad you're also a Beardsley fan! I felt lucky to get the chance to briefly immerse myself in his work. And as for docent - as I commented to Michael, we're all learning from each other on Substack (I've defintely learnt from both of you).
I’d forgotten how young he was when he died. What an extraordinary body of work. I remember seeing Salome for the first time and not being able to take my eyes off it. I had the same thought as you, about what he would have gone on to produce…
I was surprised to see how much art he created in such a short time. And as you say, some of it was truly eye grabbing.
Yet another fascinating read, Jeffrey. This is random thing to say, but I feel like you are my own personal history/art/culture teacher. And you you teach me about artists and writers I didn’t even know existed. It’s very cool. :)
I feel the same way!!!! And wow, The Climax is seductive and strange. It’s wild to see such imaginings grow from a young mind.
I agree, Kimberly, there's something darkly compelling about The Climax. His work really stays in my mind, I find!
That's so kind of you to say, Michael. I love the way we all learn from each other here on Substack!
Yes exactly! It’s great. :)
Shades of Schiele, also dying young in the same era.
Yes, I see what you mean about Schiele.
I knew of Beardsley's illustrations for Wilde's Salome, and that they were part of the play's scandalous reputation - the example here demonstrates why. Even so, grotesque doesn't seem the correct term for Beardsley's work, which is so clearly within the art nouveau tradition. I think the word has changed sense a little over the years, as the term grotesque in my mind indicates something like a caricature.
He obviously liked the term, but as you suggest, it may have meant something slightly different to him.
Another lovely report on an exhibition. I share your opinion of Beardsley brilliance and have always appreciated his work as epitomising individual graphic style. I can almost feel myself viewing the exhibits over your shoulder (not positioned too closely, of course, that's so annoying). You give social context, critical comment, the interesting details of the life - a very satisfying amount of content in such economical form. Thank you again, Jeffrey, your writing gives me a lot of pleasure.
Thank you so much, Pauline, for those kind words! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed this short essay.