Aubrey Beardsley’s works have been associated with many different artistic movements including Aestheticism, Decadence, and Art Nouveau. This piece, “The Lady of the Lake” (between 46 and 47), is a prime example of Art Nouveau, which is characterized by “arabesque, curvilinear shapes” (Credo Reference np); the decorative border of the image is such an aspect. Beardsley also designed the cover for Arthur Machen’s first edition of his novel The Three Imposters, where entangled lines sprawl about, such as on the border of this image. The flowing style of Art Nouveau invites a reconciliation of “technology, nature and individuality” (np). This border calls for contemplation of this reconciliation through beauty for beauty’s sake, art for art’s sake.
Works Cited
Beardsley, Aubrey. “The Lady of the Lake Telleth Arthur of the Sword Excalibur.” Le Morte D’Arthur, J. M. Dent and Co., 1893, between p. 46 and p. 47.
Paterson, Dominic. “ART NOUVEAU.” The Edinburgh Dictionary of Modernism, by Vassiliki Kolocotroni and Olga Taxidou, 1st ed., Edinburgh University Press, 2018. Credo Reference, https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6NjYzMjU4?sum….