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The Climax

Print
1893 (drawn), 1907 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Black and white line block print on Japanese vellum depicting the levitating figure of Salome dressed in a white robe and with writhing snake-like curling black hair as she holds the severed head of John the Baptist (Jokanaan) complete with tendril-like hair and dripping blood. These drips form a puddle in the lower right hand section of the design, from which a white lily grows statuesquely. In the top left hand corner of the image is a cluster of circular black and white objects, perhaps referencing the 'clusters of black grapes' to which Salome compares John's hair.

This image was based on the original version of 'The Climax' by the artist, entitled 'J'ai baisé ta bouche Iokanaan', illustration to Oscar Wilde's play 'Salome', published in 'The Studio', Vol. 1, No. 1, 1893.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Climax (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Line block print
Brief description
Line block print of an illustration by Aubrey Beardsley, 'The Climax', plate X for Oscar Wilde's 'Salome', 1893. Printed in Germany, 1907.
Physical description
Black and white line block print on Japanese vellum depicting the levitating figure of Salome dressed in a white robe and with writhing snake-like curling black hair as she holds the severed head of John the Baptist (Jokanaan) complete with tendril-like hair and dripping blood. These drips form a puddle in the lower right hand section of the design, from which a white lily grows statuesquely. In the top left hand corner of the image is a cluster of circular black and white objects, perhaps referencing the 'clusters of black grapes' to which Salome compares John's hair.

This image was based on the original version of 'The Climax' by the artist, entitled 'J'ai baisé ta bouche Iokanaan', illustration to Oscar Wilde's play 'Salome', published in 'The Studio', Vol. 1, No. 1, 1893.
Dimensions
  • Image height: 177mm
  • Image width: 127mm
  • Sheet height: 240mm
  • Sheet width: 180mm
Style
Object history
Print by Aubrey Beardsley, 'The Climax', plate XV from 'A Portfolio of Aubrey Beardsley's drawings illustrating 'Salome' by Oscar Wilde', published by John Lane, London, 1907
Literary referenceOscar Wilde's Salome
Bibliographic reference
Collection
Accession number
C.22146:4

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Record createdAugust 18, 2015
Record URL
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