The artwork, “Black Coffee,” created by Aubrey Beardsley in 1895, is a lithographic piece that exemplifies the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. It falls within the genre painting category and is currently held in a private collection.
In this monochromatic lithograph, two elegantly dressed women are depicted sitting at a table. The figure on the left is clothed in a dark, voluminous dress with a large hat adorned with a single feather, her expression austere and reserved. She holds a small bouquet in her gloved hands. The woman on the right, in contrast, wears a lighter, more elaborate dress with puffed sleeves and a hat festooned with feathers and flowers, exuding a sense of elaborate fashion. Between them sits a small coffee cup, emphasizing the title of the artwork. The setting hints at a social environment, possibly a café, with minimalist details in the background that draw attention to the figures in the foreground.
