“Scarlet Pastorale” is an illustration created by Aubrey Beardsley in the year 1894. This artwork is part of the Art Nouveau movement, also referred to as Modern style, and is currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums located in Cambridge, MA, US.
The artwork presents a striking black and white scene, characterized by its stylized and intricate detailing typical of Beardsley’s distinctive style. The composition features a central figure dressed in a diamond-patterned garment, exuding a sense of whimsical elegance. Surrounding this central figure are other elaborately dressed characters, each contributing to the theatrical ambiance of the scene. The figures are set against a stark black backdrop, which emphasizes the dramatic and ornate costumes illuminated by hanging candelabras, casting an air of fantastical revelry. The bold juxtaposition of black and white, along with the detailed line work, exemplifies the sensuous and elaborate aesthetics of the Art Nouveau movement.
