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Great Lives

Aubrey Beardsley

Great Lives

BBC

Documentary, History, Society & Culture

4.21.3K Ratings

🗓️ 15 January 2013

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on the Victorian artist Aubrey Beardsley, whose shocking originality he compares to that of Alexander McQueen. Laurence's first foray into art was copying Beardsley drawings to sell at his school - with the more erotic ones fetching a premium price...

Biographer Matthew Sturgis fills in the detail of Beardsley's short but extraordinary life, and Matthew Parris presents.

Produce:r Beth O'Dea

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Once you've wrapped up this podcast, how about trying a very British cult?

0:06.0

What happens if the person you trust with your future isn't what you think they are?

0:10.0

I did feel the whole time he was watching me Yeti. I saw a footprint and that really gave me gusmas.

0:16.4

Or people who knew me. Emme, I remember every secret, every lie. I'm the only one who knows the truth.

0:23.0

Discover more of our biggest podcast from 2003.

0:27.0

Listen on BBC Sounds.

0:29.0

Thank you for downloading this great lives podcast from BBC Radio 4.

0:34.0

For more information and details of other podcasts just visit BBC.co. UK slash radio 4.

0:41.0

Every teenager of my generation going through a phase of beginning to understand art and design and being slightly self-consciously sensitive and appreciating Oscar Wilde, Chikovsky, Joni Mitchell, Clouds, etc.

0:57.0

Can remember discovering the black and white illustrator with those swirly intricate lines and yet such simplicity, Aubrey Beardsley.

1:07.0

My guest on Great Lives Today whose chosen Aubrey Beardsley is Lawrence Loehl and Bowen of whom a little more in a moment.

1:14.8

But first, Lawrence, tell us why you chose Aubrey Beardsley and how you first came across

1:20.5

him.

1:21.5

I can remember, I think I was probably about 14 discovering him at

1:26.0

school in the art library and instantly feeling deeply embarrassed as if I've

1:31.5

been caught fumbling through something really very

1:34.6

very unhealthy indeed. Aubrey Beardsy was very very sexy. How did you discover your own

1:40.8

talent did you draw at school?

1:42.8

Oh, well, completely and utterly copying Aubrey Beardsy.

1:45.6

My own interpretation is off and then flogging them for 50B.

1:48.3

If we were particularly salacious, I might get up to 75B.

1:50.8

Oh, you did rude ones?

...

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