The New Star 1896

Curator: Aubrey Beardsley created this piece, "The New Star," with ink on paper. It's currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I'm struck by the contrast - the figure is weighted down by these dense, dark forms, yet strives toward something radiant and new. Curator: Beardsley often worked with stark black and white to create striking images, rich in symbolism. The star, of course, is a universal symbol of hope and guidance. Editor: Look at the printing though - such control with the line, the gradation, it speaks to a craftsman's meticulous labor and the value of the handmade in a time of increasing industrialization. Curator: Absolutely. Beardsley was deeply interested in mythology, religion, and the occult. This figure, obscured by extravagant attire, reaches toward a higher power. Perhaps it’s a comment on the individual's relationship with the divine. Editor: Or perhaps it is about the materials used to create the garment. The figure is obscured, but the garment is the star, literally in this image. Curator: A compelling reading. Editor: Indeed, thinking about the process and materials opens up a completely new perspective on the figure's quest.