In Search of Beardsley
Alexia Lazou was always fascinated by Aubrey Beardsley , so she went looking for him ... Here she talks about what she found - and his 150th birthday celebrations
It was during the early 1990s I first visited Brighton in search of Aubrey Beardsley . According to whichever book I had read about him at the time , he was born at number 12 Buckingham Road .
Armed with this vital piece of information , I made my way to the house . While it was certainly a very attractive , Victorian building , there was nothing to signify the momentous occasion which had taken place there in 1872 .
Given that I adored Aubrey and his artwork , I was somewhat disappointed by this . Nothing ! Not recognised in his hometown . Nonetheless I took some photos and left . It was a couple of years later before I discovered that the houses had , at some point , been renumbered . So , Beardsley was born at number 12 , but that house was now 31 Buckingham Road .
Enlightened , I returned to Brighton . There , on the site of Beardsley ’ s birthplace , I gazed up at an elegantly carved stone plaque , acknowledging him as ‘ Master of Line ’, and I knew I was in the right place . Since then , I have made it my mission to draw attention to this unique artist and son of Brighton .
21 August 2022 marks Beardsley ’ s 150th birthday . To celebrate this occasion there are some special events happening locally .
AUBREY BEARDSLEY : A BRIGHTON BOY This new display explores the life and work of Aubrey Beardsley with an emphasis on his childhood in Brighton , and the time he spent at Brighton Grammar School . It includes objects from Brighton & Hove Museums ’ collections , The Keep , and private lenders . Highlights include an early drawing , a letter
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from Beardsley to one of his teachers , an unpublished design for The Yellow Book , and a wooden box owned by Beardsley .
North Balcony , Brighton Museum & Art
Gallery 30 July – 27 November 2022 Free with Brighton Museum admission , members and residents free For more information visit : https :// brightonmuseums . org . uk / brighton /
Visitors coming on 21 August are encouraged to dress up in their best black and / or white outfits , or Beardsleyesque apparel . In addition to the Brighton Museum display , there will be other opportunities to discover more about this exceptional artist , including :
Beardsley ’ s Brighton – a 90-minute guided tour exploring the buildings and places associated with his early life .
A display of books with cover designs and illustrations by Beardsley at the Rare Books & Special Collections department , Jubilee Library .
For the programme of events please visit : https :// aubrey-beardsley-a-brightonbirthday-celebration . eventbrite . co . uk
Events will continue to be added so please check for updates .
Cover Design for The Yellow Book Volume V , 1895 by Aubrey Beardsley , Brighton & Hove Museums