The Ascention of Saint Rose of Lima 1896

Curator: Here we have Aubrey Beardsley’s “The Ascension of Saint Rose of Lima,” a drawing rendered in ink dating back to 1896. It’s an interesting example of the Art Nouveau style. What are your initial impressions? Editor: Striking! The stark black and white contrast is arresting. And that incredible, flowing line work. You can almost feel the weight of those dense, dark strokes pulling the figures upward. Curator: Beardsley was working at a time when debates about decadence and spirituality were intertwined. Saint Rose, a figure of profound religious devotion, is here framed within this very stylized, almost theatrical composition. How does this presentation affect our understanding of her sainthood? Editor: It makes me think about the labor behind creating such an image, particularly the intense focus required for those fine ink lines. But looking closer, it is clearly a pen illustration, it suggests mass reproduction and circulation. Did the broader availability of these images change people’s perceptions of religious figures? Curator: Precisely. Beardsley’s illustrations challenged established Victorian values. He created pieces for periodicals like "The Savoy," which really pushed boundaries of what was considered acceptable in the public sphere. Editor: Right. And consider the medium: ink. Its accessibility and relative cheapness democratized artmaking to some degree. Did this ease of production affect the reception and value placed on religious art? It must have cheapened the process somewhat. Curator: Absolutely. Beardsley’s visual language spoke to the era's evolving aesthetic, where art could serve diverse purposes beyond mere religious devotion, from the merely decorative to powerful social critiques. It also helped introduce saints to wider audiences, reframing their stories within modern contexts. Editor: The sheer contrast in the image reflects the socio-economic divisions. It prompts consideration on the distribution and consumption of such artwork. It also makes you wonder who did the printing and what kind of machines were used for production? Curator: A perfect note to end on! Indeed, it shows Beardsley’s genius, inviting discussions on art's function, impact on piety, and reach within late 19th-century culture. Editor: Absolutely. It makes you reconsider what it means to create something for the glory of god versus what the material allows you to express.