A review by kurtwombat
Aubrey Beardsley by Brian Reade

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

 
Odd to think now that this icon of cool art was virtually forgotten until the 1960’s. This book catalogues a giant exhibition of Aubrey Beardsley’s work that brought about his rebirth as an influential artist. As a child of the 70’s, I saw his work (or it’s imitators) everywhere—I knew I liked his work before I knew his name. This highly annotated edition also works as the impromptu biography of an artist who died tragically young at 25. This of course adds to the cool factor of his work—otherwise art from the 1890’s might be hard pressed to find an audience. Reading this book I was wowed from page to page. Of course, being so inclusive this collection includes his lessor works but they work to highlight his growth or offer a glance into his psyche. A fascinating rummage through a brief glorious creative life begging the question of what might have been.