Although I was planning on writing about my recent whiskey painting workshop (which I will), or about my thoughts concerning KONY 2012, I am writing about Aubrey Beardsley.
Aubrey Beardsley is one of my favorite artists , because he illustrated Le Morte D'arthur. Beautifully. And since we have been watching the BBC series of Merlin, it just seemed to work.
Merlin is a great show. At first, it was the goofy, funny, non serious side of Arthurian legend. The fourth season is becoming more dark and serious. Camelot, started out that way and is very intense (and I like that too.). Either way, it works because every writer since the beginning of Arthurian legend has done their own take on it. There are so many variations of every tale, all from before modern times, that it is difficult to say any one is right.
Beardsley was a young sickly man, who died extremely young. He became sick with tuberculosis at six years of age, and died at 25. THAT is what makes him extraordinary. He had 25 years and became an influential artist. A man whose work will last for centuries.
He was commissioned to illustrate Le Morte D'arthur. He was influenced by the art nouveau movement, as well as Japanese woodblock prints. He came into contact with Oscar Wilde and illustrated Salome. What struck me is the original sketch of the cover of the book. Yet another reason for me to love his art. I love peacocks and feathers!
Anyway, Aubrey Beardsley WAS the original zentangle doodlist. He created illustrations with awesome design, and punched the values by adding values, designs, doodling.... i love it.
His spiritual life is rather interesting. After drawing some rather "scandalous" illustrations, he converted to Catholicism, and demanded for his work to be destroyed. .Interesting Info
His request was refused, and it is all still "out there" today. Of course, by today's standards, they are rather tame, being pen and ink.
So, if you are looking up his work, there may be some nude illustrations. But, his depictions of the scenes from Le Morte D'arthur show a sense of fluidity and fantasy, which add to the mystique of the legends.
Merlin is a great show. At first, it was the goofy, funny, non serious side of Arthurian legend. The fourth season is becoming more dark and serious. Camelot, started out that way and is very intense (and I like that too.). Either way, it works because every writer since the beginning of Arthurian legend has done their own take on it. There are so many variations of every tale, all from before modern times, that it is difficult to say any one is right.
He was commissioned to illustrate Le Morte D'arthur. He was influenced by the art nouveau movement, as well as Japanese woodblock prints. He came into contact with Oscar Wilde and illustrated Salome. What struck me is the original sketch of the cover of the book. Yet another reason for me to love his art. I love peacocks and feathers!
Anyway, Aubrey Beardsley WAS the original zentangle doodlist. He created illustrations with awesome design, and punched the values by adding values, designs, doodling.... i love it.His spiritual life is rather interesting. After drawing some rather "scandalous" illustrations, he converted to Catholicism, and demanded for his work to be destroyed. .Interesting Info
His request was refused, and it is all still "out there" today. Of course, by today's standards, they are rather tame, being pen and ink.
So, if you are looking up his work, there may be some nude illustrations. But, his depictions of the scenes from Le Morte D'arthur show a sense of fluidity and fantasy, which add to the mystique of the legends.
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