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Not currently on display at the V&A

Le Morte Darthur

Drawing
ca.1893-4 (made)
Artist/Maker
Beardsley, Aubrey Vincent (artist)
Place of origin
London (made)

A drawing in black ink on white paper depicting a stylised image of the letter 'A' entwined with sinuous thorn covered vines.


Object details

Categories
Drawings
Books
Illustration
Myths & Legends
Designs
Object type
Drawing
TitleLe Morte Darthur (series title)
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink on paper
Ink
Paper
Drawing
Brief description
Drawing by Aubrey Beardsley, design for the initial letter 'A' in Thomas Malory’s 'Le Morte Darthur', vol. I, opening of book II, p.50, pen and ink on paper, London, ca.1893-4
Physical description
A drawing in black ink on white paper depicting a stylised image of the letter 'A' entwined with sinuous thorn covered vines.
Dimensions
  • Sheet height: 9.2cm
  • Sheet width: 6.8cm
  • Image height: 92mm
  • Image width: 63mm
Pasted onto sheet: 26.7 x 20.7 cm
Object history
Beardsley was commissioned by J. M. Dent to produce illustrations for his intended republication of Malory's romantic tale 'Le Morte Darthur'; it was Beardsley's first commission. This design was for the initial letter 'A' in the opening of Book II of 'Le Morte Darthur' which was published between 1893-4 by Dent.
Associations
J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd.
Thomas Malory
Literary reference'Le Morte Darthur' by Thomas Malory
Bibliographic references
  • Calloway, Stephen. Aubrey Beardsley. London: V & A Publications, 1998. 224pp, illus. ISBN: 1851772197. chapter 3
  • Linda Gertner Zatlin, Aubrey Beardsley : a catalogue raisonne. New Haven : Yale University Press, [2016] 2 volumes (xxxi, [1], 519, [1] pages; xi, [1], 547, [1] pages) : illustrations (some color) ; 31 cm. ISBN: 9780300111279 The entry is as follows: 372 Initial letter A Book II, chapter i Autumn 1892 Victoria and Albert Museum, London (D.121-1899) Pen, brush and Indian ink over pencil on white wove paper; 3 13/16 x 2 11/16 inches (97 x 69 mm). INSCRIPTIONS: Verso [pencil scribble]: D.121-1899 FLOWERS: Briar (severity, envy) PROVENANCE: J. M. Dent;...; Tregaskis 1898, Catalogue 420 (483k), bt. Victoria and Albert Museum on 1 March 1899. EXHIBITION: London 1901 (651), 1966-8 (227); Tokyo 1983 (10); Munich 1984 (52); Rome 1985 (3.8). LITERATURE: Vallance 1897 (p.202), 1909 (no.59.xx); Gallatin 1945 (no. 345-624); Reade 1967 (p.316 n.69); Samuels Lasner 1995 (no.22). REPRODUCED: Le Morte Darthur, 1893-4 (p.51); Reade 1967 (plates 69 and 70, where published with border); Clarke 1979 (plate 5); Wilson 1983 (figure 8). The letter ‘A’ entwined in thorny branches exemplifies Beardsley’s transformation of Morris’ densely patterned designs and Burne-Jones’ briar forms (for comparison, see 357 below). For further comment, see no. 341 above.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
D.121-1899

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O899886/le-morte-darthur-drawing-beardsley-aubrey-vincent/
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