“The Burial of Salome” is an artwork by Aubrey Beardsley, created in 1894 through the medium of lithography. It belongs to the Art Nouveau movement, specifically a period often referred to as Modern style. This illustration is categorized within the genre of artwork and, as of the last available information, is held in a private collection.
The artwork presents a stark, black-and-white composition characteristic of Beardsley’s style, with bold contrasts and an absence of intermediate shades. It depicts two figures: one appears to be a female with exaggerated, voluminous hair, her face obscured by the angle of her head, and her body language conveying a sense of solemnity or introspection. She stands beside what might be interpreted as a casket or tomb, marked by the word “FIN” (meaning “end” in French), indicating a finality or conclusion, likely in reference to the title “The Burial”. The other figure is ghoulish, with satyr-like features, including pointed ears and a mischievous grin. This figure seems to be interacting with the woman in a way that could be perceived as comforting or conspiratorial, based on the hand placement and proximity. The spartan use of detail focuses the viewer’s attention on the interaction between the two figures, and the overall image conveys a sense of macabre narrative and emotional depth.
