Aubrey Beardsley

Robert Baldwin Ross recalls a young artist whose interests ranged from music and theatre to literature and drawing. His account follows Aubrey Beardsley from childhood in Brighton through school performances, office employment and the early recognition of his illustrations. Ross also describes their first meeting in 1892, when Beardsley arrived with a portfolio and spoke readily about books, galleries and music. Personal recollections give the biography a close view of his conversation, friendships and response to criticism.

The volume pairs this account with sixteen full-page illustrations and a revised catalogue of works by Aymer Vallance. Entries record subjects, materials, dimensions, ownership and publication history, including pencil sketches, ink drawings and watercolours. Readers interested in book illustration can follow both the artist's early development and the practical details of individual designs. The combination of remembered encounters and a detailed art record makes the book useful for studying how Beardsley's work reached its public.