The artwork entitled “The Coiffing,” created by Aubrey Beardsley in 1896, is a lithograph that is classified as an illustration and is associated with the Art Nouveau movement. The piece is part of a private collection and it showcases the distinctive linear qualities and stylized figures characteristic of Beardsley’s work and the broader Art Nouveau style.
“The Coiffing” features two central figures which appear to be intricately interconnected. The foreground presents a seated lady, enveloped in a lavish gown with ruffles and bows accentuating its form. Her posture is somewhat relaxed and her eyes are closed in a serene or contemplative manner. Nestled closely behind her is a second figure, presumably a maid, attending to the lady’s hair, thus the title “The Coiffing.” This figure’s facial expression carries an air of focus and attentiveness to the task at hand.
The composition is framed by an ornate interior, presumably a boudoir, with decorative elements such as a complex mirror reflecting another part of the room, intricate furniture, and a panelled wall with draperies that contribute to the sense of opulence. The artwork is rendered with fluid yet precise lines that create an interplay of forms and spaces, conveying both depth and flatness in a harmonious balance.
Overall, the lithograph exemplifies Beardsley’s aptitude for combining elegance with simplicity, embedding subtle detail within clear, curvilinear forms—a signature of the Art Nouveau aesthetic. The artwork stands as an example of the period’s fascination with beauty, decorative arts, and the stylized treatment of figures and motifs.
