Artwork
Withered Spring
Withered Spring is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Aubrey Beardsley. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Withered Spring is a drawing created by Aubrey Vincent Beardsley in 1885. It is executed in pen and black ink with white highlights over a graphite underdrawing.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman seated in a barren wooded area, wrapped in a cloak and holding a branch or staff, with a castle on a hill behind her. The title Withered Spring suggests a dying or moribund season, evoking themes of decay and possibly melancholy.
Technique & Style
Beardsley's use of pen and black ink with white highlights creates a stark, graphic image. The technique of cross-hatching is evident in the drawing, where layers of lines build up to create shading and texture, contributing to the overall black-and-white aesthetic reminiscent of Japanese woodcuts and storybook illustrations.
Context
Withered Spring is characteristic of Beardsley's work, which often explored themes of the grotesque and the erotic. As a leading figure in the aesthetic movement, Beardsley's style influenced the development of Art Nouveau and poster art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Aubrey Vincent Beardsley ( BEERDZ-lee; 21 August 1872 – 16 March 1898) was an English illustrator and author.
The Abbé
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