O. BIRDSLEY AND A. RACKHAM: THE FINE OF INFLUENCE

Art critics rarely write about the creative connection between Aubrey Beardsley (1872–1898), a prominent representative of book and magazine graphics of the decadence era, and the famous Edwardian illustrator Arthur Rackham (1867–1939), limiting themselves, as a rule, to a couple of dry facts. Despite this, there is evidence of the influence of the former on the latter, which requires careful study. Rackham turned to Beardsley's work many times, his opinion about the outstanding fin de siecle graphics changed over time, allowing him to acquire certain features of his early deceased contemporary, to quote his drawings, to be inspired by the same artists and art trends. Rackham was especially influenced by Beardsley's early period, namely his illustrations for The Death of Arthur from 1893-1994, which was reflected in the design of several editions illustrated by Rackham: from The Legends of Ingoldsby (1898) to The Novel of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table "(1917). In this regard, the article provides a detailed analysis of the creative dialogue between the Edwardian artist and the legacy of the outstanding graphic artist fin de siècle.