John Austen - Art Nouveau Illustrator influenced by Aubrey Beardsley

John Austen

1886-1948

This post looks at one of the Golden Age's least known illustrators and yet one of the most artful.

The Golden Age of Illustration ran from approximately 1870 until 1920 and was a time when books were illustrated with the effort and talent seen in matserpeice artworks. Top nakes included Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac. 

John Austen produced relatively few artworks, dedicating his time and skill to each work to truly make it his own. He was heavily influenced by the art-nouveau illustrator Aubrey Beardsley whose works were sometimes macabre and sometimes erotic.

Below are two of the best

example of Austen's works. Maybe these beautiful images will influence you to go in search of his works.

Everyman

1925

Hamlet

Circa 1920 

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