Rejane 1894

Aubrey Beardsley created 'Rejane' using pen and ink to capture the likeness of the celebrated French actress. The image emerges from the context of the late 19th century, a time when the ‘New Woman’ challenged Victorian ideals, advocating for female independence and intellectual freedom. Beardsley, through his distinct aesthetic, often explored themes of gender and identity, challenging conventional representations of femininity. Here, Rejane is depicted in repose, her posture suggesting both leisure and power. Her gaze, directed away from the viewer, implies a sense of self-possession, a departure from the objectified images of women common in earlier art. The detailed patterns of her dress contrast with the stark background, drawing attention to her presence, her agency. Though Beardsley died young, his work invites us to consider the shifting roles of women in society and the ways in which artists negotiate these changes through their work. What does it mean to be a subject, not just an object, in the visual field?