Aubrey Beardsley "King Herod's Eyes" "Salome" circa 1900 Lineblock
A portrait of the aged King Herod, looking towards us with a sad gaze - "King Herod's Eyes."
Beardsley used caricatured deformations to depict the pitiful figure of the man who is captivated by Salome.
His forehead was deeply wrinkled, his eyes were hollow and unfocused.
The crown and clothing are intricately decorated.
However, despite his extravagant attire, the old king no longer exudes any dignity.
On the left side of the painting there is a woman.
There are two interpretations of the identity of this woman:
One theory is that Salome is disgusted by King Herod's lustful gaze.
Alternatively, it is Herodias, enraged by the evil looks directed at her daughter.
Desire, rejection, anger, and the complex emotions of mother and daughter...
A multi-layered story is secretly hidden within this small piece.
Old age, desire, humour.
With his sharp lines and abbreviated forms, Beardsley mercilessly exposed the corruption of power and human weakness.
Although it is a short piece, it is an interesting piece that symbolizes the decadence and tragedy of Salome.
This is an original antique print produced at that time.
After Beardsley's early death in 1898, a collection of his works was produced by John Lane, who published a number of works including his masterpiece, Salome.
This work is one of the prints included in the John Lane edition.
Information
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Artist : Aubrey Beardsley
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Title : King Herod's Eyes (illustration for "Salome")
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Production year : 1900
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Technique : Line block
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Size : Approximately 28.5 x 20 cm
(Frame not included) -
Artist / Title : Aubrey Beardsley / The Eyes of Herod
Related links
For more information about "Salome," please see Ribo Antiques' special page (separate site).
Beardsley and Salome: The Ultimate in Decadent Beauty
Salome by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Aubrey Beardsley, first English edition, 1894
All Authentic. All Original.
--All genuine, all original.
This work is an original antique print made over 100 years ago.
All works sold at Rivoli Antiques are genuine works of artistic value that were printed at the time, and are not later reproductions or copies.
Framing options
This work is usually provided unframed so that you can enjoy the original charm of the work as it is, taking into consideration the preservation of the paper and its use as a collection.
If desired, we offer a custom framing plan (additional charge) in which we will select and suggest a frame for you. We can frame your work with consideration for artistic balance, the color of the work, and harmony with your interior decor.
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About the condition
This work is an original antique print created over 100 years ago.
All works sold by Rivoli Antiques are genuine pieces of artistic value printed at the time, and are not later reproductions or copies.
Due to their nature, antique prints rarely come with individual certificates of authenticity like contemporary works.
Therefore, where you buy and who is in charge of selecting the works are of utmost importance.
At Rivoli Antiques, we carefully select our items based on the trust we have built through many years of collaboration with museums and experts.
We only introduce works that you can safely add to your collection.
Natural fading and stains may appear over time, but these are also proof of the era the piece has passed through and are elements that convey the texture of the materials and techniques used to create it.
You can also come and see the paintings in person at the gallery to check their condition, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
About the store and reliability
At Rivoli Antiques, we have a track record of lending works to the Tokyo National Museum and the British Museum, and we present works according to museum-level selection criteria.
We have established a system that allows you to purchase and collect with peace of mind.
Please feel free to contact us for collection creation or consultation.
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