Artwork
The Impatient Adulterer
The Impatient Adulterer is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Aubrey Beardsley. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Impatient Adulterer is a black and white drawing by Aubrey Beardsley, created during a period of controversy surrounding his work. Produced in his early twenties, it exemplifies his distinctive style, characterized by meticulous detail and a blend of antiquity and sensuality.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing illustrates a salacious scene from Juvenal's Sixth Satire, 'Against Woman', where a corrupt mother facilitates her daughter's seduction by a would-be lover, who is impatiently waiting. The scene depicts the moment the mother pulls back the daughter's bedcovers, as described in lines 237-8 of the satire.
Technique & Style
Beardsley's unique style is on display, with intricate details set against a stark black and white palette. The drawing's antiquated costumes contrast with the risqué subject matter, reflecting Beardsley's interest in classical texts and his ability to blend historical aesthetic with contemporary controversy.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Leonard Smithers, a publisher of rare and often clandestine works, 'The Impatient Adulterer' was part of a series illustrating Juvenal's satires. This period followed Beardsley's fallout with mainstream publishers due to his association with Oscar Wilde, leading to his reliance on Smithers for outlets.
Context
Created in the aftermath of Oscar Wilde's trial in 1895, the drawing reflects the moral climate of the time. Beardsley's work, once celebrated in publications like 'The Yellow Book', became too risky for many publishers, highlighting the tension between artistic expression and Victorian moral standards.
Artist & collection
Artist
Aubrey Vincent Beardsley ( BEERDZ-lee; 21 August 1872 – 16 March 1898) was an English illustrator and author.
