The Peacock Skirt 1893

Curator: I find Aubrey Beardsley's "The Peacock Skirt" so evocative, don't you? Currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, it is an exquisite example of his style. Editor: Oh, absolutely. It feels decadent, dangerous... a fever dream rendered in black and white. It's almost theatrical. Curator: Beardsley's illustrations were often tied to literary works. This piece was initially intended for an edition of Oscar Wilde’s *Salome*, a play that itself challenged societal norms. Editor: It does carry that weight, doesn't it? Like a forbidden glimpse into something illicit. The stark contrast, the flowing lines...it pulls you into a world of pure aestheticism. What do you think? Curator: I think the power of imagery, especially at the fin de siècle, cannot be understated. Beardsley understood how to deploy it, shaping public perceptions of art and literature. Editor: That's very true. Ultimately, it's more than just a pretty picture; it's a cultural lightning rod.