Cover design for 'The Yellow Book' 1894

Aubrey Beardsley created this cover design for 'The Yellow Book' using pen and ink. The composition is dominated by a woman at her toilette, surrounded by symbols that speak volumes. The mirror, adorned with flowers, reflects not just an image, but a deeper truth, a moment of introspection. Even the butterfly, hanging delicately above, is an emblem of transformation. Such symbols echo across centuries, from ancient depictions of Psyche, whose name means 'soul' or 'mind', often shown with butterfly wings, to the vanitas paintings of the Dutch Golden Age. Consider the act of applying makeup – a ritual performed across time, a quest for beauty, youth, or perhaps, an attempt to mask inner turmoil. Just as ancient Roman women used cosmetics to emulate the goddesses, this figure engages in a timeless pursuit of idealisation. These motifs resonate with our collective memory, tapping into the universal desire for renewal and perfection. The image pulls us in, engaging us in a non-linear progression.