Design for the Frontispiece to "Plays" by John Davidson 1894

Aubrey Beardsley designed this frontispiece for John Davidson's Plays using pen and ink to create stark contrasts. It's a fascinating example of the decadent aesthetic in Britain during the 1890s. The image presents a theatrical scene populated by ambiguous figures. Are these characters from the plays themselves, or allegorical figures relating to the theatre more broadly? Beardsley was a key figure in the cultural shift of the time, as Britain was seeing a widespread challenging of Victorian moral values. His work often explored themes of eroticism, morbidity, and artifice, reflecting a growing sense of disillusionment with social norms. He produced illustrations for literary works, posters and bookplates. Beardsley even served as art editor for the avant-garde magazine The Yellow Book, which became a platform for the decadent movement. The study of popular journals from the time, and of Beardsley's engagement with publishing institutions, can help us understand how this unusual artist challenged the artistic norms of the time.