The Lady at the Dressing Table
ca. 1897
Aubrey Beardsley brings his signature decadent flair to this scene of high society vanity, where two figures draped in excessive lace share an intimate moment at a dressing table. A parrot watches judgmentally from a perch above, while a church spire in the background grounds this frivolous scene in a recognizable London setting. Beardsley, a prodigy of the Art Nouveau movement who died tragically at just 25, was famous for his shocking black-and-white drawings that defined the aesthetic of the 1890s. His style was heavily influenced by Japanese woodblocks, evident in the bold lines and intricate patterns of the lace.
Views: 1