The artwork, titled “Smithers,” was created by Aubrey Beardsley in 1896 and belongs to the Art Nouveau movement, or Modern style. Categorized as a genre painting, this work is a testament to Beardsley’s distinctive approach and flair.
In this illustration, a woman is elegantly seated on a striped divan, engrossed in a book. She is adorned in a voluminous gown, enhancing her graceful demeanor, while her hat, embellished with an ornate bouquet, adds a dash of sophistication. Her flowing gown cascades in delicate folds, adorned near its hem with intricate ruffles, capturing the essence of opulent fashion of the era. To her right, poised on a stand, sits a parrot, which adds a hint of exoticism and perhaps companionship to the domestic scene. The room itself, rendered in stark black and white, subtly underscores the detailed textures and patterns that characterize Beardsley’s work.
