The return of Tannhauser to the Venusberg 1895

"The Return of Tannhauser to the Venusberg" (1895) is a black and white illustration by Aubrey Beardsley, created for the "Art Nouveau" movement. The artwork features a figure trapped in a thicket of thorns, reaching towards a distant, luminous object. Beardsley's signature style is evident in the elongated figures and dramatic use of light and shadow. This artwork is a powerful representation of the struggle between temptation and redemption. The figure's desperation, as depicted by Beardsley, invites the viewer to contemplate the complexities of human nature and the allure of forbidden desires.