The Wagnerites 1894

"The Wagnerites" (1894) is a black and white illustration by Aubrey Beardsley, an influential artist of the Art Nouveau movement. This work is a striking example of Beardsley's signature style, which emphasizes stark contrasts, elongated figures, and decorative patterns. The image depicts a scene from a Wagner opera, likely a performance of "Tristan und Isolde" given the inscription on the lower right. The use of heavy black lines and negative space creates a sense of drama and heightened emotion, mirroring the passion and intensity of Wagner's music. This illustration exemplifies the stylistic innovations of the Art Nouveau movement and is now housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.