There are those works of erotica — although very few, otherwise they would be classified as pornography — which are erotic, meaning arousing, and those which are not. Our third entry in this series belongs to the second category. Although not erotic, it does provide a certain a shiver, or frisson, as the French would […]
The Guitar Lesson [1] (French: La Leçon de guitare) is a 1934 painting by Balthus. It depicts a a young girl nude from the waist down and her teacher who has one breast exposed. The work was lovingly re-interpreted by Japanese photographer Naoto Kawahara in 2007 [2]. In the same vein Kawahara does a Mollinesque […]
“La Prière” [1], 1930 is a black and white erotic photograph by French surrealist Man Ray. It shows the buttocks of a woman, through her legs extend her hands with which she shields her sex. Her hands are folded in the manner of a prayer, hence the title. Google gallery of “La Prière”. Digression #1: […]
Nude (c.1930) by Jean Marembert [source] Icon of erotic art #41 Au carrefour étrange uncovered a 1947 edition of Petrus Borel‘s Champavert [1] and presents us with the exceptional work of Jean Marembert. Jean Marembert (1904–1968) was a French artist who is tangentially connected to such people as Louis Cattiaux, Jean Crotti, Suzanne Valadon, Kees […]
Introducing Alva Bernadine and icon of erotic art[1] #39 Back in the day, when I was still editing Jahsonic.com, I had amassed a list of erotic photographers I thought were important. The list consisted of Alva Bernadine, Gilles Berquet, Guy Bourdin, Steve Diet Goedde, Nan Goldin, David Hamilton, Irina Ionesco, Richard Kern, Doris Kloster, Eric […]
Gian Lorenzo Bernini @410 Pushing against Pluto’s face Proserpina‘s hand creases his skin, while his fingers sink into the flesh of his victim. Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini (December 7, 1598 – November 28, 1680) was a Italian sculptor and architect of 17th century Rome, best-known for his marble sculptures the Ecstasy of St Theresa[1] and the […]
It’s time for icon of erotic art #28. “The Miraculous Milk of the Virgin”[1] is a photograph by Bettina Rheims published in her collection I.N.R.I.. The photo was taken in March 1997 and exhibited at the Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont. Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont[2] is a French art gallery located in Paris. Currently at the […]
“Sensitive but resilient, equally available during the day or night with a minimum of coaxing, it has performed purposefully if not always skillfully for an eternity of centuries, endlessly searching, sensing, expanding, probing, penetrating, throbbing, wilting, and wanting more. Never concealing its prurient interest, it is man’s most honest organ.” —Thy Neighbor’s Wife, (1981), Gay […]
See male gaze, female gaze Following the comments of Lichanos on Icons of erotic art #21, here is some info about the concept of the gaze in visual culture. The concept of gaze (often also called the gaze or, in French, le regard), in analysing visual culture, is one that deals with how an audience […]
Catherine the Great @280 [1] Catherine the Great (May 2, 1729 – November 17, 1796), — sometimes referred to as an epitome of the “enlightened despot” — reigned as Empress of Russia for 34 years. She cultivated Voltaire, Diderot and D’Alembert — all French philosophes encyclopedists who later cemented her reputation in their writings. Her […]