“The Stomach Dance” is an illustration created by the artist Aubrey Beardsley in 1893. This artwork is emblematic of the Art Nouveau movement and remains an influential piece within this genre. Currently, the artwork resides in a private collection, inaccessible to the public gaze. Its provenance thus adds to its mystique, leaving the appraisal of its aesthetics to the privileged few who have the opportunity to behold it.
The artwork presents a striking black and white composition with stylized figures and floral motifs common to Art Nouveau. The central figure in the illustration is a woman portrayed with notable elegance and a hint of the exotic. She is depicted in a partial state of undress with her torso exposed and a flowing, semi-transparent skirt elegantly draped around her lower body. Adorning her head is a dark, bobbed hairdo that frames her face staring directly at the viewer with a mixture of boldness and allure.
Above the woman, a series of round decorative elements float, possibly representing the motion or the music to which she is dancing. Below, another figure with exaggerated features, possibly caricaturing a musician, plays a stringed instrument with a vigorous facial expression, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the scene. This figure’s garb and instrument are extravagantly ornate, contributing to the overall sense of pageantry in the illustration.
This artwork is a testament to Beardsley’s skill with line and his ability to convey movement and vivacity within the constraints of stark monochrome. The contrast between the delicate details and the bold outline of the figures is characteristic of Beardsley’s distinct style, which has had a lasting impact on the visual arts and illustration.
