In Praise of Cosmetics
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The title given to Max Beerbohms article in the first edition of "The yellow book". A seminal point in publishing history. Max's contribution was a gently subversive look at painted faces.
Among 1890's society women make-up was rarely used. It was often overtly associated with harlots and stage people, both of whom had very little social standing. It is only with the rise of great actor dramatists like 'Sir Henry Irving'" and "Dame Ellen Terry" that we begin to see a turn in the tide of feeling. Max always enjoyed poking fun at pomposity. He loved the world of the streets and the stage. He was a frequent visitor to the music halls of the west end. Often being seen at the Hippodrome and the noisy dens of Leicester square. Here, among lesser known artistes, cavorting and capering to tunes of the day, Max would sketch and nightly enjoy the fun.
Among the smoke ridden rooms he would sit and laugh and linger. No doubt thinking at times of the precious little starlet he fell so desperately in love with.
