A prominent leader of Aestheticism, British artist Aubrey Beardsley (1872 – 1898) created complex, stunning and often controversial black-and-white linear designs. Originally a clerk, Beardsley was strongly influenced by the elegance of Art Nouveau and the boldness of Japanese woodcuts. He illustrated Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte Darthur, The Yellow Book and several other publications with his detailed and frequently erotic artwork. Creating 17 sensual drawings for Oscar Wilde’s play “Salome,” Beardsley was eventually rejected by the public for his art's perceived decadence and his association with Wilde. Beardsley’s work was revived in the 1960s, strongly influencing Art Nouveau and Symbolism.

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