Arts & Culture

The Art Gallery (TAG) at UWF presents “Aubrey Beardsley: Art of the Line Block Print”

The Art Gallery at the University of West Florida presents “Aubrey Beardsley: Art of the Line Block Print” from Feb. 7 through Mar. 9. An opening reception will take place on Thursday, Feb. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. TAG is located in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, on the Pensacola campus.

The Art Gallery at the University of West Florida presents “Aubrey Beardsley: Art of the Line Block Print” from Feb. 7 through Mar. 9. An opening reception will take place on Thursday, Feb. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. TAG is located in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, on the Pensacola campus.

Aubrey Beardsley was one of the most prolific artists of the 1890s London avant-garde. As a draftsman, he produced over 1,100 works before his death at the early age of 25. Beardsley drew to best utilize the photomechanical reproduction process of line block, which consequently made his work accessible to the general public, rather than only the elite few. Early in his career, he produced work with flat, stark black and white contrasts often separated by economical, but graceful outlines. By 1896, Beardsley’s work became more arabesque and included ornate detailed patterns, and eventually tonal gradations.  

Beardsley’s eccentric subject matter critiqued the repressive aspects of Victorian society. His controversial imagery regularly contained androgynous figures that were sometimes set in dark erotic scenes or in the act of death. In much of his work, Beardsley was able to employ symbolic imagery to illuminate other social issues, such as consumerism and gender roles—controversial topics that are still relevant today. At times, he integrated his art with literature to illustrate the narrative of a story, but he also created works that were totally independent from the text included in a publication. Although Beardsley’s work is commonly associated with the Art Nouveau movement, because of his depiction of untraditional subject matter and his intentional distortion of imagery, his drawings and prints should also be viewed as precursors to the Modern art period. 

Dr. Patrick Rowe has graciously lent selections from his private collection to make this exhibition possible.

TAG at UWF seeks to challenge, stimulate and engage students and the greater public through direct interaction with works of contemporary art.

TAG is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit our website, uwf.edu/tag, or contact Nicholas Croghan, Gallery Director, at artgallery@uwf.edu or 850.474.2696.