Aubrey Beardsley

British illustrator and author best known for his black-and-white, Art Nouveau drawings. He emulated Japanese woodcuts in his work, zeroing in on grotesque, decadent, and erotic imagery. Foremost member of the Aesthetic movement.

He worked in an architect's office as an illustrator in 1888; later, he held a position at Guardian Life and Fire Insurance Company.

He was born to a father who did not work, but rather lived off money inherited from his maternal grandmother.

He and renowned author Oscar Wilde were both part of the Aesthetic Movement.