The appeal of Beardsley's cartoons

Mar 8

Beardsley (1872-1898) continues to fascinate many people today with his delicate and graceful lines and his world of aestheticism and eroticism. He left behind over 1,000 works, including a series of illustrations for Oscar Wilde's play "Salome," published in 1894, and illustrations for Thomas Malory's book "Le Morte d'Arthur," based on the Arthurian legend, but he died at the young age of 25. Although he was active as a painter for less than 10 years, Beardsley's work went on to have a major impact on the fashion industry and pop culture.

Beardsley's works tend to draw attention for their aesthetic images of women and sophisticated designs, such as those depicted in Salome and the Arthurian legends, but if there is another aspect of his talent, it would be the sharp critical eye that is embodied in his caricatures.

In 1893, Alfred Tennyson's historical drama "Becket" premiered in London. Beardsley created eight illustrations for the theatrical review of the play published in "Pell Mel Budget." The above illustration, "The King Moving on the Board" (1893, V&A), is one of those illustrations. The king takes a step on the chessboard with a sense of dignity. Will he move to black, move to white, or go back? Looking at it, one can sense Beardsley's gaze as if he is mocking a certain authority figure who can freely choose either way.

Also featured in this exhibition is Walter Crane, a painter who became more active as a socialist from the mid-1880s and is known for his essay "The Language of the Line," which emphasized the importance of line drawing. Beardsley was greatly influenced by Crane's decorativeness, line depiction, and composition, and the exhibition also includes "The Political Views of Walter Crane" (1893, V&A), which seems to mock Crane.

To create a caricature, one must have the ability to accurately capture the characteristics of the subject. These pen drawings combine his unique humor and sharp, cynical gaze. Don't miss out on another of Beardsley's charms.

The "Beardsley: The Unorthodox Genius" exhibition is being held at the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum in Tokyo until May 11th. A joint project with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the exhibition showcases the life and work of Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898), a British painter active in the late 19th century. Approximately 220 items are on display, including illustrations from his early period to his later years, hand-drawn sketches, colored posters, and decorative items from his era. There are many valuable pieces, including his masterpieces "Le Morte d'Arthur" and "Salome." You can also see the influence of contemporary painters and French Symbolism.

The heretical genius - Beardsley

Venue: Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum

Dates: Saturday, February 15, 2025 - Sunday, May 11, 2025

Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and other special days)

Closed: Mondays (open on certain days)

Admission Fee:

• General admission: 2,300 yen

• University students: 1,300 yen

• High school students: 1,000 yen

#British Check Coordination Discount

If you come wearing checked items, you will receive a 100 yen discount on the admission fee! This can be clothing or accessories. Just tell the ticket counter, "I would like the British checked outfit discount."