Art: Erotic Imagery

Gustave Courbet (1819-1877) The Origin of the World,  Oil on canvas,  H. 46; W. 55 cm “Fine art is knowledge made visible.” Gustave Courbet Gustave Courbet was a realism painter born on June 10, 1819, in France. He started taking painting lessons at the age of fourteen. Eventually, he relocated to Paris which allowed him to practice his art by copying many of the iconic paintings displayed in the Louvre. His professional breakthrough came in 1848, when ten of his paintings were accepted into a Paris salon. Courbet’s paintings are known for depicting realistic scenes from every day life. Realism rejected many of the art genres that came before it to instead focus on the every day, real situations rather than romanticized fantasy or imagery. Capturing the truth in a piece of art was the goal. I chose this piece of art because it is the most blatantly erotic piece that I came across. I will have to admit initial shock that something so blatantly sexual ...

La Douceur, Pablo Picasso,  Oil on canvas, 1903, 27 5/8 x 21 7/8 in "Art is a lie that makes us realize truth." -Picasso Pablo Picasso was born In Spain in 1881. One of the most well-known artists in the modern world, he is well known as the creator of the cubism movement.  ( http://www.biography.com/people/pablo-picasso-9440021 ) I had to include this painting because there is controversy behind it. Picasso was well known for his erotic exploits, and in his youth quite often painted images of illicit situations. While erotic, this print is subtler. Picasso himself denied creating this painting, shrugging it off as a bad practical joke. Studies show this to be untrue. It reminds me of an impressionist painting, with the distorted figures and an emotional sense rather than a realistic one.

Danaë, Gustav Klimt, 1907, Oil on canvas, 77 x 83 cm " All art is erotic." -Gustav Klimpt Gustav Klimt was born on July 4 th , 1862. Of the Art Nuevo genre, he has produced one of the largest collections of erotic art this century.  His art melds impressionist techniques with e thereal atmospheres.  ( http://www.theartstory.org/artist-klimt-gustav.htm ) This painting shows the ornamental style and elegant form of the art nouveau period.  This genre might have been short lived, but the muted and still somehow vibrant colors and the twisted not quite realistic form are really lovely. I selected this image because, quite honestly, she just drew me in. There were so many erotic works that I could have chosen from Klimt, but this one was hands down my favorite. She looks beautiful, and captivating. 

Katsushika Hokusai, woodcut and paper, 1814. 7.4 in × 10.5 in Hakusai was born in October or November of 1760 in Japan. Born to a artisan family, his entry into the art world was to be expected. He was known by over thirty different names in is lifetime, and much as his persona changed so his the style of his art.   ( http://www.katsushikahokusai.org/biography.html ) Traditional Japanese art is a varied and lovely thing. From pottery to silk screens, every piece of it has a watery almost serene look to me. This image is Sumi-e, or an ‘ink picture’ it combines ink and calligraphy to make a rather unique and stunning composition. I chose this image because it toys with a lot of themes from Japanese art, with a subject matter that is disturbing and shocking. I don’t know why it surprised me to find a famous piece of art depicting an octopus pleasuring a woman, but it did. Even if the shock teeters on disgust, art should make you feel and this p...

La maja desnuda ,  oil on can vas by Francisco Goya,  1797–1800 Francisco De Goya was a Spanish artist born on March 30, 1746. He became an apprentice of art when he was fourteen years old. An established portrait painter, among other accomplishments such as church frescos, the style of his art spanned several different genres.  ( http://www.franciscodegoya.net/biography.html ) This is a painting from the romanticism period of art. Her exaggerated beauty makes her unnervingly unrealistic. I chose this painting because I found it fascinating that he first painted this, and then painted a nearly identical image of her with her clothing on. This is one of the first Western paintings to show a woman’s pubic hair without any negative symbolism behind it (such as prostitution). ( http://totallyhistory.com/la-maja-desnuda/ )

Auguste Rodin (1840 -1917) THE KISS Circa 1882 Marble H. 181.5 cm ; W. 112.5 cm ; D. 117 cm (   http://www.rodinmuseum.org/collections/collectiontheme/6.html  ) I wanted to show a bit of sculpture as well as oil paintings. Rodin was known for creating less polished sculpture that better seemed to catch movement. The less polished finish was supposed to show motion.

Turin Erotic Papyrus Papyrus scroll painting, approx. 1150 BC. Artist Unknown. There is nothing new to the concept of erotic art. I included this image because of it's age. Here is a reproduction of part of the scroll.  I just wanted to show that eroticism is as old as humanity. I hope that we can continue to create such provoking works of art for eternity.