Salome, Aubrey Beardsley

In this image high contrast print, there is an elongated figure. The figure is outlined and is place in the top portion of the page. Curving, organic lines sweep around the page. The overall contrast in colors creates a diagonal curve across the page. The text within this image seems to be hand written. Beardsley created this artwork in 1892 for Oscar Wilde's Salome. 

This artwork stands out as Art Nouveau with the use of flowing, organic motifs, and the outlined figure. Unlike Much and Klimt, we see a central male figure. However, there are subtle feminine qualities, such as the flowing gown and hair. This high contrast black and white image has deliquiate patterning that imitates that of Alphonse Mucha. It's important to understand how the movement expanded into other realms of graphic design. 

Strickland, Carol, and John Boswell. “Art Nouveau .” The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in Art History from Prehistoric to the Present, Andrews McMeel Publishing, Kansas City, MO, 2017, p. 91.



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