1 November 1923 – 1 March 1924
Tate
Experience a rare and exquisite showcase featuring the remarkable works of Aubrey Beardsley, one of the most original and influential artists of the late 19th century. This exhibition commemorates the recent acquisition by the Tate of Caprice, the only known oil painting created by Beardsley, an event celebrated through a special loan collection of his drawings. Until now, Beardsley’s contributions had not been represented in Tate’s permanent collection, making this exhibition a unique opportunity to explore his artistic journey in depth.
The collection is thoughtfully organized in chronological order to illustrate the rapid and extraordinary evolution of Beardsley’s genius. Within less than seven years—from 1891 to 1898—his art matured and transformed with an intensity and speed rivaled by few artists. His first significant published work, Hamlet Patris Manem Sequitur, appeared in 1891, signaling the advent of an intensely imaginative and evolving style that continued until his premature death in 1898.
Beardsley’s creative development reflects a complex dialogue with diverse artistic influences and evolving aesthetics of his time. His early drawings exhibit the influence of Pre-Raphaelite painters such as Burne-Jones and Simeon Solomon, as well as the Florentine masters. This was succeeded by a phase inspired by Japanese art and figures like Whistler during his ‘Salome’ period. Later, in the ‘Savoy’ period, the refinement of French Rococo style can be discerned. Despite these borrowings, Beardsley’s works are imbued with a unique originality, transcending mere pastiche to become definitive expressions of his remarkable talent.
His art resonates with the atmosphere of transition and decay characteristic of the late 19th century aesthetic movements, capturing a blend of morbidity and flamboyance intensified by his fragile health. Scholars often compare the feverish intensity of his imagination to the great El Greco, positioning Beardsley as a pivotal figure influencing the Art Nouveau movement, particularly on the European continent.
Visitors to Tate Britain are invited to immerse themselves in this captivating collection, which not only highlights Beardsley’s skill and stylistic versatility but also sheds light on his literary connections and the broader historical context that shaped his work. This exhibition offers a profound insight into the life and legacy of an artist whose meteoric career left an indelible mark on the history of modern art.
For more information, please visit the official Tate exhibition page: Drawings of Aubrey Beardsley at Tate Britain.
