Franz Von Bayros - The Illustrator

Franz Von Bayros was an Austrian illustrator and commercial artist, born in Zagreb in 1866. He had a very colourful career which started at the age of 17 with his entry into Vienna Academy.

Von Bayros had a number of artistic interests in the Erotica field including phantasmagoric imagery, Lesbienism, Masturbation (with instruments) - some of these art subjects I may return to at a later date. This post however I would like to introduce his art intrest.........Beastiality.

Even today this subject is enough to make one plead ignorance to the existence of such a practise, probably because of the historical religious rules within many religions. However it can't go unnoticed with the field of art even if it is not as blatantly obvious in other forms of art of the day.

Beastiality has long been contained within Folklore, Myth and Legend as with the Greek Myth of "Leda and the Swan" and it was even accepted in some ancient cultures. It must be stated that Beastiality  is illegal in most countries and condoned in none (that are known to me) and Artists like Franz used the issue for shock or artistic interpretation.

Animals have been a very important part of storytelling since man could represent themselves on cave walls and on to Mythology where the Gods often appeared (and seduced earthly women) as various animals. Artists, like Von Bayros, often called upon these legendary fables as insperation and also as a hidden meaning.

Some Art is just, well, Beastiality in it's rawest form and Franz was not afraid to hold back.

Known as the first ever fetish Artist, Von Bayros was a fan of another renowned erotic Artist, Aubrey Beardsley (subject of a future post so please check back) and wanted to follow in Aubrey's Art Nouveau footsteps.

Franz was so controversial, he was extradited from Germany back to his adopted homeland of Vienna, Austria. Von Bayros finally parted this planet from a cerebral hemorrhage on April 3rd 1924.

Please leave a comment.................

Thomas Eakins - American Photographer, Painter, Sculptor and Teacher.

A great American Art all rounder and arguably one of the most influential artists in American history. And only failing health slowed him down in the end.

His own belief, whilst teaching, was not to inhibit his students and thus encourage the freedom of their own expressions. He used himself as a guide rather than a director when it came to his teachings.
Thomas's own career was a passion for anatomy and movement of the human  form, he conducted numerous studies to these endeavours.

Eakins had an admiration for the female nude, in particular, but was constantly searching for a male that would exude the same presence, beauty, innocence and anatomical perfection. He had such a passion for Anatomy, he considered becoming a surgeon.

Thomas Eakins was a man of great character, strong willed and a great student of life. Generous with his time and carried out his life the way he thought it should go. He was not afraid to study humanity frankly and also not afraid of the results the studies revealed  to him.

Thomas Copperthwaith Eakins passed away on June 25th 1916 in Pennsylvania, at the age of 71. He left his legacy, that at the time was seen vulgar at times, but it was honest and natural.

His main income toward the latter part of his life were portraits, the staple of most Artists of the era.
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I try to keep my posts short and to the point with illustrations/work of the featured Artist, If you feel the information is a little too short and would like more information on the said Artist, please leave me a comment so that I may ensure your infortmational pleasure.

Thank you for reading this post.

Egon Schiele: The 10 year Artist

Egon Schiele, one of the most celebrated Arists of the last 100 years despite his very short lifespan.

Schiele lived in Vienna at a very colourful time in history,  born 12th June 1890 in a train station he was something of a child prodigy drawing from the age of 2. Schiele, in young adulthood, became a firm friend of Gustav Klimt who saw Schiele's talent and organised for models and patrons for the artwork of this young painter.

Egon always considered himself an eternal child which propelled his adolecent view of his sexual erotic paintings. And his honesty of himself and his female nudes ensured his notoriety along with his free spirited view of life.

The police were called to Schiele's studio after one of his legendary parties where erotic sketches were found, that led to the accusation of him seducing a minor and he was jailed pending the investigation. He was never found guilty but that didn't stop officials ripping up and burning some of his erotic drawings.

Tragedy struck Schiele and his family in 1918 when he lost his wife and child to the Spanish Flu virus and he himself died aged 28 only 3 days later.

But Egon Schiele has proven that the time he had on this planet was fruitful and by all accounts the amount of erotic (and other) art he has left for us to enjoy combined with the honest way in which he lived his life. Has shown the  two common denominators of his passion, sex and death, enveloped him to the very end.

It seems unjust that it was as he was becoming recognised for his portraits and artwork, he died, so he never got to enjoy the accalades he so craved. He did leave us however with a body of erotic work which continues to inspire erotic fans today.
Enjoy this.......and my other posts.......and if you have a comment, feel free to share your views.

Gustave Courbet: Father of French 19th Century Realism

Gustav Courbet, 1819-1877. A true individual who famously said he wanted to be remembered when he died with this statement..... "He belonged to no school, no church, no institution, no acadamy. Least of all to any régime other than the régime of Liberty".

Courbet has a huge volume of artistic works from Landscapes to Seascapes, from Portraits to numerous Self-Portraits, Still life, Social depiction. His range and interest was vast and he spearheaded the 19th Century Realism movement. But alas, as fantastic as this might be, my interests lay in one particular area of his expertise and you don't get any prize for guessing which area I refere to.

During the 1860's Gustave embarked on his erotic painting journey and many of his paintings would not be shown in public due to their graphic nature and his fascination with female genitalia. Those paintings that were displayed increased Courbet's notoriety.

This picture above "The Origin of Life" was not publicly displayed untill 1988 and at the time of it's painting in 1866 was subject to a police report.

Gustav in later life lived in exile, in part, because of his disagreements with Napoleon III and his refusal to comply with formalities, even after Napoleon III had offered him the cross of The Legion of Honor. And also  
his unpaid fines to the newly elected president.

Gustav Courbet passed away at the age of 58 on the 31st of December 1877 from liver disease after many years of excessive drinking.
I hope you like this blog, please leave a comment if it interests you! Untill next time...................

Mihály Zichy - Renowned Hungarian Erotic Artist

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me introduce to you, Mihály Zichy. If you don't know him already, he is a Hungarian Artist who started his adult life studying Law, and whilst studying Law also studied Art. Thankfully for fans of Erotica like us, Law took second place as he pursued his fantastic talent for art, more to the point, his talent for Erotic Art.

He did paint famous individuals of his time i.e. The first Hungarian Prime Minister and Queen Elizabeth, to name just two. But I would rather peruse some of his more, how shall I say.........Entertaining Masterpieces. Some of which are depicted below.

Zichy's forté seemed to lie with capturing the intimate moments of the couples embraces or the portraying a scene of the individuals just before climax, a truly remarkable gift. As one looks at the drawings, you can feel the intensity, the passion, the moment of tension between the couple just before the explosion of ultimate pleasaure.

Zichy Lived from 1897 to 1906 and left us with some exotic and wonderful images in his lifetime, but he will live figuratively for longer still, in his drawings and paintings.

Please leave a comment if you see or read something you like, or just to say Hi.

Vintage Erotic Postcards

I have an affinity for Vintage Erotic Postcards, I have viewed many and have a small collection myself. I would love to obtain some more if anyone in Cyberspace is looking to offload/sell some of their collection.

I can't answer the reason why I like these?? I try to revert back to the time before TV, when Erotica was hidden. I imagine a distinguished Gentleman holding the card that I now hold in my hand, what was he thinking? Was he thinking about Basketball? I think not.
I would imagine he inserted himself into the photographic situation taking his position and including himself in the fantasy surrounding him, of course he would have locked the study door to avoid interruption as he gazed, transfixed, caught in his thoughts. He would have looked upon the ladies, scanning the photo and creating the 3D image in his mind. (Don't scroll down, it's getting hot)

 Would he picture himself as the man in the photo, although the guy in the postcard above seems more interested in the lighting than the lady with him (Maybe that's why he's missing the target?) We all know men can't concentrate on two things at once. Excuse me, I digress, I wonder did the Gentleman, sitting in his large office chair take a chance and re-enact, in some part, what he was viewing?

How involved did he get? Maybe his breeches where a little tight and he needed to loosen them? Ok, that's a feeble excuse but it could have been genuine!
Maybe he was egotistical and obsessed with the size of his member, and imagined it so............

Alas! If only.........Or maybe he just used them for quick sexual satisfaction where he could indulge his tastes without fear or recrimination. What ever he did with them, I'm just glad they survived to this day, relatively clean to pass on to collectors like myself.

Thanks for taking the time to read this (hopefully) humorous  post. I thought I'd stick the odd one in, pardon the pun, rather than have all serious posts but let me know which one you prefer, just leave a comment.
Till next time................Bye for now!

Calling all Félicien Rops Fans, HELP!

Hi All,
I was lucky enough to acquire a number of items of the legend that is Félicien Rops recently. Whilst perusing carefully through the box of prints, books and miscellaneous items, I stumbled upon a very interesting find!! The surprise was a very unique (Or at least I think it is?) Carte De Viste aka CDV, hidden within a book between some prints.
Hence, the call for all those more knowledgeable than myself with regard to Mr. Rops, Please have a look and study the picture below and see if you come to the same conclusion as myself that the individual depicted in the photo is none other than Rops himself. Of course, there is no identification on the CDV as to the identification of this confident male.
I appreciate, as always, all your comments and guidance. So I leave it in your capable hands!
Thanks again for checking out my page.