Circle of Aubrey Beardsley 1872-1898. British School Late 19th.Century Pen and ink drawing. The Conductor. Unidentified monogram lower right.
A beautifully executed, enigmatic and dynamic drawing, very much in the style of Aubrey Beardsley, the celebrated and somewhat notorious illustrator, depictor of the grotesque, erotic and decadent. A leading figure of the Aesthetic movement, that also included James Abbott McNeill Whistler and Oscar Wilde. Beardsley's contribution to the development of the Art Nouveau style was highly significant. The unidentified stylised monogram lower right is most likely inspired by Japanese woodblock print stamps, known as Hankos. These were widely used within the artistic circle of both Beardsley and Whistler. Provenance: Private Collection UK. Measures 38 by 25 cms to mounted image. Some minor surface grubbiness and soft creasing, very slight foxing all to no real detriment.
GB