Aubrey Beardsley was one of the most notable English artists in the nineteenth century. His unique style of illustrating was to draw only with black inks. Moreover, there was a particular relation between his style and Japanese woodcuts, which influenced his talent and professional activity as well. The artist departed at the age of twenty-five due to his tuberculosis disease.
Although Beardsley was born in a tradesman’s family, he was supported by the heritage that his mental grandfather left him when the artists turned twenty-one. This notable man of talent also had a wife who was the daughter of an Indian surgeon. Beardsley’s family moved to London in the year 1883, where he was also able to demonstrate his musical talent by giving multiple concerts along with his sister.
Beardsley was inspired by the works that he had a chance to get acquainted with during his travel to Paris in 1892. Japanese prints were very popular in France back then, which influenced his style, as it was mentioned above. Almost all of his famous works include particular elements of mythology and history, which were usually depicted with the method of hard-edge painting. Moreover, his works were so popular that some publishing companies wanted Beardsley to draw illustrations for their books. Aubrey Beardsley also positioned himself as a caricaturist. Therefore, he depicted some contemporary politicians in the style of a caricature.
Aubrey Beardsley knew when his days on Earth were about to end, so he decided to move to the French Riviera. He departed in the year 1898 in his hotel suite in France. As it was mentioned above, Beardsley died because of tuberculosis. His grave can be found near the Menton Cathedral.