The Morning Dream 

Aubrey Beardsley made this drawing with pen and ink, which was then reproduced as a line block print, a common process in the late 19th century. The stark contrast between black and white gives it a dramatic quality. The use of a monochrome palette wasn't just an aesthetic choice. It was a very economical printing method to mass-produce the image. The intricate detail is incredibly striking: look at the elaborate patterns on the drapes and the figure's dress. Beardsley achieved this by mastering the art of hatching and cross-hatching, building up tone with tightly packed lines. This process demands incredible skill and patience, reminiscent of the craftsmanship found in engraving. The artist subverts the traditional hierarchy between fine art and reproductive craft by creating a drawing that is so detailed it could be mistaken for an engraving. Beardsley blurred the line between high art and commercial illustration, and in doing so, questioned the value we place on originality versus reproduction.