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Aubrey Beardsley Quotes

I have one aim, the grotesque. If I am not grotesque I am nothing.

I have one aim, the grotesque. If I am not grotesque I am nothing.

Aubrey Beardsley
Grotesque, Aim, Ifs
In an interview with The Idler (1896),as quoted in "Aubrey Beardsley : A Biography" by Matthew Sturgis, (p. 309), 1999.

All humanity inspires me. Every passer-by is my unconscious sitter; and as strange as it may seem, I really draw folk as I see them. Surely it is not my fault that they fall into certain lines and angles.

Aubrey Beardsley
Fall, Inspire, Humanity
To-Day Interview, as quoted in Aubrey Beardsley : A Biography (1999) by Matthew Sturgis, p. 200, 1894.

Things shape themselves before my eyes just as a I draw them.

Aubrey Beardsley
Eye, Drawing, Shapes
Matthew Sturgis, Aubrey Beardsley (1999). “Aubrey Beardsley: A Biography”, Overlook Books

I have always done my sketches, as people would say, for the fun of it... I have worked to amuse myself, and if it has amused the public as well, so much the better for me.

Aubrey Beardsley
Fun, Drawing, People
The Idler Interview (1896), as quoted in "Aubrey Beardsley: A Biography" by Matthew Sturgis, 1999.

Advertisement is an absolute necessity of modern life, and if it can be made beautiful as well as obvious, so much the better for the makers of soap and the public who are likely to wash.

Aubrey Beardsley
Beautiful, Soap, Modern Life
David Colvin, Aubrey Beardsley (1998). “Aubrey Beardsley: a slave to beauty”, Welcome Rain Publishers

What is a portrait good for, unless it shows just how the subject was seen by the painter? In the old days before photography came in a sitter had a perfect right to say to the artist: "Paint me just as I am." Now if he wishes absolute fidelity he can go to the photographer and get it.

Aubrey Beardsley
Photography, Artist, Perfect
"Aubrey Beardsley: A Biography". Book by Matthew Sturgis, p. 189, 1999.

It takes only one man to make an artist, but forty to make an Academician.

Aubrey Beardsley
Artist, Men, Forty
"Aubrey Beardsley". Book by Robert Ross, p. 7, 2018.

No language is rude that can boast polite writers.

Aubrey Beardsley
Communication, Rude, Language
Aubrey Beardsley (1921). “Under the Hill: And Other Essays in Prose and Verse”

In the present age, alas! our pens are ravished by unlettered authors and unmannered critics, that make a havoc rather than a building, a wilderness rather than a garden. But, a lack! what boots it to drop tears upon the preterit?

Aubrey Beardsley
Book, Garden, Tears

How few of our young English impressionists knew the difference between a palette and a picture! However, I believe that Walter Sickert did - sly dog!

Aubrey Beardsley
Dog, Believe, Differences
Aubrey Beardsley (1921). “Under the Hill: And Other Essays in Prose and Verse”

When an Englishman has professed his belief in the supremacy of Shakespeare amongst all poets, he feels himself excused from the general study of literature. He also feels himself excused from the particular study of Shakespeare.

Aubrey Beardsley
Literature, Belief, Study
"Under the Hill and Other Essays". Book by Aubrey Beardsley, 1904.

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