Caricature of Felix Mendelssohn 1896

Aubrey Beardsley created this caricature of Felix Mendelssohn using pen and ink. Beardsley was a leading figure in the Aesthetic movement, known for its focus on beauty and decadence, which often challenged Victorian social norms. This portrait offers insight into the complex relationship between identity, representation, and cultural perception. Mendelssohn, a composer of Jewish origin, occupied an ambiguous space in 19th-century European society, where his talent was celebrated, but his identity was often subjected to stereotypes and prejudices. Beardsley exaggerates Mendelssohn’s features, potentially playing into prevalent antisemitic tropes. The caricature can be interpreted as a commentary on the way society constructs and distorts identities based on race, religion, and social standing. The image is emotionally unsettling. It forces us to confront uncomfortable aspects of history.