Austerity and Invention

The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery

Austerity and Invention – Illustration between the wars.

This was a sequel exhibition to the 2010 exhibition "Fancy and Imagination: Aubrey Beardsley and the Book Illustrators".

Aubrey Beardsley had a very distinctive style with his decorative compositions and black and white stylistic lines and forms. Some of his works really well is and some of his work is grotesque and perverse. He influenced other artists like Jessie M King, but other artists were influenced by the Art Deco style of the 1920’s. Art Deco characterized elegant symmetries and clean dynamic lines, for many the simplicity of Art Deco reflected a certain austerity and a rejection of the Victorian extravagance. The styles of the times showed an imaginative response to the cheaper production values of the printing industry.

Some illustrators like Heath Robinson showed a great sense of humor in their illustration’s, perhaps to lighten the mood because of the war and great depression. This exhibition looked at a variety of media and styles used by artists between the wars.

I visited this exhibition twice. I just wanted to take it all in as I really appreciate this era.

What struck me most about this exhibition was the quality. It was just fantastic. There was work by William Heath Robinson, Edmund Dulac and Kay Nielsen to name but a few.

I could clearly see the difference between the illustrations of the past and contemporary illustration today. The subject matter and style is very different. Contemporary illustrators draw their inspiration many different pools of influence. They have the advantage of being influenced by technology in a way their forbearers didn’t. Victorians were from an era of development, and we are too, but our development is high speed. We can draw and upload and share in minutes. Printing restrictions inhibited that advantage back then. But saying that, Im sure the Victorians didn't have the 'right click' option on their mouse, so copying artwork would have been more difficult. 

Contemporary illustrators show more diversity in their style. However, despite their limitations, the Victorians had beautiful, sharp imaginations and their drawing techniques could give any contemporary a run for their money.

The similarities between the old and new era’s was just as clear. The quality and finish of the artwork was really strong. There seems to be a universal quality when it comes to good illustration. It can only come from diligent effort, and refinement of their craft.

It really was great to see, and I am glad I am influenced by the ‘age of enchantment.’