Print by Aubrey Beardsley, 'The Peacock Skirt', plate V from 'A Portfolio of Aubrey Beardsley's drawings illustrating 'Salome' by Oscar Wilde', published by John Lane, London, 1907, line block print on Japanese vellum

Black and white line block print on Japanese vellum depicting a woman, presumed to be Salome, viewed from the back, in a flowing robe with a dramatic stylised peacock design on the skirt, as well as an elaborate headdress complete with stylised peacock feathers, some of which trail down her back. To her left is a stylised peacock within a decorative dotted, scalloped border, whilst on her right is a male figure, generally assumed to be the Young Syrian, with his left arm partially outstretched, wearing a pleated knee-length robe and a headdress.

Given by Michael Harari, in memory of his father, Ralph A. Harari

From 'A Portfolio of Aubrey Beardsley's drawings illustrating 'Salome' by Oscar Wilde'. Second issue. Published by John Lane, London [1907]. With contents sheet in letterpress and 17 plates [E.422 to 438-1972] in a portfolio of grey-green paper boards, half bound in vellum, with green silk tapes, stamped in gold with title and the rose-bush motif from the 1894 edition. With the stamp of A. Lang Buchhandlung Moskau inside the front cover.

The plates are no longer in the portfolio but are now mounted separately.

According to Stephen Calloway in his book, Aubrey Beardsley, London: V&A Publications, 1998, p. 66: 'Whilst retaining some slight reminiscences and mannerisms of Beardsley's Mantegnesque style, The Peacock Skirt, of all the Salome pictures, most clearly reveals his great debt to Whistler's painted decorations in the house of Frederick Leyland.'

First printed in 1894; this print is from the second edition, 1907.

E.426-1972