“The Black Cat” is an illustration created by artist Aubrey Beardsley around 1894, which falls under the Art Nouveau movement, also known as Modern Style. The genre of this artwork is illustration.
In the artwork, a large black cat with exaggerated, almost caricature-like features, sits atop what appears to be the head of a woman. The cat’s eyes are wide and its mouth slightly open, giving it a menacing or possibly startled demeanor. The fur on the cat’s chest is depicted with a rough texture, contrasting with the otherwise smooth lines of its silhouette. Below, the woman’s face is shown with closed eyes, featuring stylized lashes, and a passive expression. She is adorned with earrings, and the outline of her upper body suggests she is wearing some sort of draped garment. The overall style is characterized by black and white contrasts and strong outlines, signature elements of Beardsley’s work within the Art Nouveau aesthetic.
