May’s erotic artist in history is Franz von Bayros (b. 1866 – d. 1924). He was an Austrian commercial artist, painter and illustrator who, at the age of 17, was accepted in to the Vienna Academy and studied under historic portrait painter Eduard von Engerth. Franz also belonged to the Decadent movement of the late 19th century and used fantastic themes in some of his erotic works.
This month in Erotic Art History we’ll be learning about Martin van Maële. We actually won’t be learning a whole lot as not much was known about this artist. He was born Maurice François Alfred Martin van Miële on October 12, 1863 in Boulogne sur Seine, France. The name Martin van Maële was the surname he would use for his erotic arts and was actually a mix of his parents last names. His father, Louis Alfred Martin (who was an engraver) and his Mother Virginie Mathilde Jeanne van Maële.
(warning: some of the illustrations from this artist might be a bit shocking or disturbing)
So I hope that everyone had a good Valentines Day. Mine was quite nice. I draw a homemade card for my wife and I also made some for the kids too. After work we all went out and had dinner out. Yup, very nice indeed. ^_^
I also thought it would be a good time for some art history. The painting above is called Cupid and Psyche in the Nuptial Bower, (1792-1793) and was painted by Hugh Douglas Hamilton, and Irish painter in the late 1700’s. It’s based on the story of Cupid and a beautiful woman named Psyche. Many sculptures and paintings are based on this story but I picked this one as I thought it has certain appeal to it. I like how Cupid seems to be trying to convince Psyche of something, but she’s hesitant. But in that hesitation there is a small bit of her that wants to be with him. She knows that if she looks into his eyes she will fall for him.
That or she’s looking at his wang.
So lets start off the first day of February with our first look back at erotic artists. From the large list I’ve accumulated I decided to pick Achille Devéria. He was a French artist from back in the early 19th century (1800 – 1857) who’s art consisted mostly of lithographs and water colour paintings. During his life, Achille’s would gain success through his illustrations and lithographs, having them printed up in romantic novels, note books and albums. It’s also mentioned that he would paint portraits of other famous writers and artists. Writers like Victor Hugo, Sir Walter Scott and Alexandre Dumas where all painted in his Paris studio.
So the other day I got to wondering, how far back does erotic art go? Which artists in history produced erotic artworks. I’m sure that this sort of stuff goes back a long way. I mean, before you could get porn on just about every device out there, if you had a hankering for erotic pictures… someone had to draw them. Until someone invented the photograph that is. I wonder how erotic works where viewed way back when. What was considered a tasteful nude and what was just plain ol’ smut. What was smut called back then?
I’m going to look in to these erotic artists during history. I want to know more about them and I’m going to share my findings here. Once a month (starting in Feb) I’ll be making a post showcasing an artist and some of their works. I’m very much looking forward to this to be honest. I think it’ll be fun to learn about this naughty passion that I have and see where it’s been though out history.
Play Asia