Pierrot and cat, from St. Paul's 1893

Aubrey Beardsley's "Pierrot and cat, from St. Paul's" is a black and white illustration from 1893 depicting a Pierrot figure walking with a large black cat. Beardsley, a key figure in the Art Nouveau movement, is known for his distinctive style, which combines fin-de-siècle symbolism with elements of Japanese art and medieval illustration. The striking lines and stark contrasts in this drawing evoke a sense of mystery and the macabre, typical of Beardsley's aesthetic. The image is likely a representation of the duality of human nature, with the Pierrot symbolizing innocence and the cat representing darkness and temptation. This work is a testament to Beardsley's mastery of line and his ability to capture the essence of his subject in a single, haunting image.