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Aubrey Beardsley

Decadence & Desire
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Aubrey Beardsley by Jan Marsh explores the life and work of the influential illustrator Aubrey Beardsley, who created a striking body of work in just six years before his death at 25. Known for his bold black ink drawings with flowing lines, Beardsley's art is linked to Art Nouveau and draws on Japanese shunga and Greek vase painting, featuring both erotically charged images and satirical political commentary. The book showcases around 110 illustrations from the Victoria and Albert Museum, offering a rich visual experience alongside an accessible narrative of Beardsley's impactful yet brief artistic career.
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Format: Hardback
$3500
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This book is ideal for readers interested in art history, particularly the Art Nouveau period, as well as fans of illustration and graphic design. It suits both newcomers and those familiar with Beardsley's controversial and stylistically unique work, providing a beautifully produced gift book with accessible text and extensive visuals.

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A beautiful and informative gift book devoted to the work of Aubrey Beardsley, one of the defining artists of the Art Nouveau style.

A beautiful gift book devoted to the work of Aubrey Beardsley, one of the defining - and most controversial - artists of the Art Nouveau style.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898) was only 25 when he died from tuberculosis, but in his short life, he established a reputation as one of the most accomplished - and controversial - illustrators of his day, whose contribution to the visual language of Art Nouveau was profound.

Astonishingly, all his work was created in the course of only six years and is today instantly recognisable for its use of black ink and flowing lines on white paper, as well as its erotically charged subject matter. Not all his work was lubricious - some of it was political, poking fun at the decadent mores of the time - but much of it was, taking its stylistic inspiration from Japanese shunga and Greek vase painting, and its thematic inspiration from mythology, history, poetry, and drama.

This beautifully designed, accessibly priced gift book offers a wealth of illustrations by Beardsley, and introduces his exquisitely wrought drawings and prints to a new audience. With a text by Jan Marsh and around 110 illustrations from the extensive collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, this book brings together a carefully curated selection of works from Beardsley’s tragically short but highly productive life.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780500480595

Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 03 March 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 170.0mm

Height: 190.0mm

Weight: 430g

Pages: 144

About the Author

Jan Marsh specializes in the Victorian period, in particular the Pre-Raphaelites and William Morris. She is president of the William Morris Society, a trustee of the William Morris Gallery and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Marsh was a contributor to May Morris: Art & Life, also published by Thames & Hudson.

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