His style is easily recognizable, his name, maybe less. The Musée d'Orsay devotes a retrospective to drawing Aubrey Beardsley. This English illustrator who died at 25 left behind him plenty of drawings and famous novel illustrations. From October 13, 2020 to January 10, 2021, discover over a hundred original works by this unfairly forgotten artist.

The exhibition presents – by chronological order – original drawings by Aubrey Beardsley as well as posters and first editions of works in which his illustrations were published. His black and white drawings show very round character. The artist grew a unique, nonconformist and sometime erotic style. Works don’t lack of humor and take us to a festive and chic atmosphere, like the London society in which Aubrey Beardsley evolved.

We love the drawings exhibited for their sole artistic value, but they are very interesting for history or literature lovers (even for those who love both). The drawer worked for different newspapers and magazines and illustrated novels by great writers: he worked with Oscar Wilde, Théophile Gautier and even poet Alexander Pope.

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The retrospective also gives a large spot to the Lysistrata series, a series of burlesque drawings focusing on women’s revolution, like some liberation of sexuality, and the inversion of genders. Through his work, the artist shows surprising topics and modern positions, against the period's standards. His style changes, his illustrations sometimes sober and sometimes full of details. These new works of art are the reflect and sometime the criticism of this British society from the late 19^th century.

Careful, the exhibition does not suit children: Aubrey Beardsley has met a lot of success with erotic and irreverent drawings. If adults can find them funny, these drawings can spark some awkward talks with the youngest.

Aubrey Beardsley is a retrospective you do not want to miss. The exhibition comes straight from the Tate Britain where it was displayed before the lockdown because of coronavirus. Go and discover it and don’t forget to have a look at the Léon Spilliaert exhibition running at the same time at the Musée d’Orsay.