Ballet of Marionettes II 

Aubrey Beardsley made "Ballet of Marionettes II" as a line block print, a process that lends itself to stark contrasts and intricate detail. Here, the very nature of the printmaking process deeply influences the image. Beardsley's method involved creating a design on paper, which was then transferred to a metal block. The non-image areas were cut away, leaving the lines in relief. This allowed for multiple reproductions, a defining feature of the print medium and very much in keeping with the rise of mass media at the end of the 19th century. The high contrast between black and white not only defines the figures, but also speaks to the aesthetic of the era, influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. The crisp lines and bold shapes reduce figures and forms to near-abstract patterns. This was a deliberate move away from the painterly style of the old guard. Beardsley’s choice of printmaking wasn’t just aesthetic; it was a democratic turn, making art more accessible, although his subject matter often remained subversive and decadent, challenging social norms and artistic conventions.