Volpone

Volpone

Volpone is one of the last illustrations Beardsley creates; originally said to be part of a series of illustrations. What can be seen in this illustration is Beardsley's attention to detail once again; his use of black and white. Although the image is not the flatness we have seen of past illustrations produced by Aubrey. The elephants shape is more pronounced due to the shading and lines at the legs to indicate weight and volume; including the tapestry that the elephant is wearing. The V that seems almost intrusive to
the illustration is to indicate the word Volpone, which is the title to a dark comedy playwright. It seems this illustration is without Beardsley known decadence, but that his detail is still implemented. The whole Volpone project suggests a young man's anxiety to achieve respectability by the canons of traditional art-a loss of faith in his earlier work, both in its technique and subject matter.* Volpone was created at the time Beardsley health had worsen; tuberculous' taking his energy to complete the series and further works. Although his death at the age of twenty-six ended his work it also was the time that decadence and art nouveau seem to fade from France.

*Fletcher, Ian. Aubrey Beardsley. Boston: Twayne Publisher, 1987.