Home > Arts > Artists > B > Aubrey Beardsley
Et in Arcadia Ego
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Et in Arcadia Ego
Black & white illustration published in 1896 in The Savoy magazine. Artist: Aubrey Beardsley Date: 1896
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 23146350
© Mary Evans / Peter & Dawn Cope Collection
1896 Arcadia Aubrey Beardsley Savoy
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> B
> Aubrey Beardsley
> Arts
> Literature
> Magazines
> Mary Evans Prints Online
> New Images August 2021
Et in Arcadia Ego
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a haunting and enigmatic illustration created by the visionary artist Aubrey Beardsley in 1896, published in The Savoy magazine. This black and white masterpiece, a departure from the traditional idyllic depictions of Arcadia, the pastoral paradise, challenges the viewer's perception of beauty and the transience of life. Beardsley's illustration, set in a serene pastoral scene, is dominated by the skeletal figure of Death, who intrudes upon the peaceful landscape, holding an inscription that reads "Et in Arcadia Ego," Latin for "I, too, am in Arcadia." The skeleton is flanked by two figures, a man and a woman, who gaze in shock and disbelief at the intrusion of mortality into their idyllic world. The image is a powerful commentary on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, even in the most idyllic of settings. Beardsley's innovative use of line and form, inspired by Japanese woodblock prints, adds to the illustration's haunting and ethereal quality. The intricate details, from the delicate folds of the figures' clothing to the delicate leaves on the trees, are rendered with a precision and finesse that belies the simplicity of the medium. Published in The Savoy, a leading literary magazine of the time, Beardsley's "Et in Arcadia Ego" was a groundbreaking work that helped establish the artist's reputation as a pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement. The illustration continues to captivate and intrigue viewers, over a century after its creation, as a testament to the enduring power of art to challenge our perceptions and provoke thought.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
