The Burial of Salome 1894

Aubrey Beardsley made this provocative drawing, "The Burial of Salome", using pen and ink, a medium that allowed him to create intricate, high-contrast images. Beardsley was a master of line and how to use it to create a sense of depth and drama. Look closely, and you can see how his process lends the artwork its distinctive aesthetic: stark black shapes against the pale background, and an overall macabre and sensual atmosphere. As a commercial illustrator, Beardsley knew his work was destined for mass production through printing, so the use of line was an asset. The Victorian era was one of increasing industrialization and consumer culture, where images could be easily reproduced and distributed, allowing artists like Beardsley to reach a wide audience. He wasn't making precious fine artworks, but something that was more closely aligned with the printed page and social commentary. It’s a reminder that the materials and processes of art-making are inseparable from the social and cultural context in which they are created.