Pornocrates by Charles Brison-An Introduction to the life and works of Félicien Rops

This is a fantastic book about the life and work of the "lazy" "womanizing" Félicien Rops, they are not my words but the words of one of Félicien's closest friends - Edmond Haraucourt.
The book starts with a biography of Rops' life, stepping through his financially secure childhood until the death of his beloved Father when he was 12. Mr. Brison then takes us on a meandering journey of Rops' teenage years, which where decidedly uneventful with the exception of the discovery of his artistic talent. Then onto his double life, The doting Husband to his wife Charlotta whilst in his home town of Namur, Belgium- And "vicious, poisonous womanizer" when in his workplace of Paris.
Some say when Rops entered Paris he signed a pact with the Devil, How else could he obtain his unending youthful looks, his masterful talent and his jovial, electrifying personality. Which he wielded on both sexes but for separate and obvious reasons, Gentlemen to ensure more work-Ladies to ensure more entertainment. All individuals listened intently to his exaggerated but involving stories, some tales increasing in size each time he conveyed them, but his expression of those experiences given in detail (sometimes crudely) and with such enthusiasm forced the listeners to him, as if magnetically. Although Félicien played hard, he also worked hard and reserved the majority of his work for the elite. Those whom he knew would appreciate and covet his works, sometimes foregoing financial reward to ensure his Art was beheld by deserving individuals. After many years of debouch he returned to his hometown to live out the end of his days. Although maintaining his youthful looks till his final breath, Rops was practically blind when he passed away quietly and without regret it seems, at his home in 1898. Leaving behind him an immense amount of work and although at the time there were many great artists of the day, Félicien Rops is still as popular amongst lovers of Erotica today as he was in demand in his own time.
The rest of the book takes us through a visual catalogue of the work of Félicien Rops. An exquisite portfolio of Rops most famous works written in bibliographical style. Here we can see the true artist lost in his own world of Satanism and Erotica and yet he still managed to produce results that were more than satisfactory for those who commissioned this artist to create unique pieces of unforgettable symbolism.
I would encourage all Rops fans who haven't yet read this book to source it and enjoy it, it is a fabulous read.
Comments Welcome.

Above: the cover of Pornocrates

Oxtiern/Misfortunes Of Libertinage by D.F.A.

As mentioned earlier I said I might return to the works of the Marquis De Sade, and so I've chosen one of his many theatrical works. De Sade is well known as you already know for 1. His unique sexual tastes for the period in which he lived. 2. Spending the vast majority of his life either on the run or in prison and 3. His Erotic writings, namely 120 Days of Sodom and Juliet to name but a few.
But Donatien Alphonse Francois (D.A.F.) also wrote many plays, although only a handful actually made it to the stage and even those had a veil of Drama surrounding them. The particular Play I'll mention here is "Oxtiern" a prose drama in 3 acts. It follows the tale of a young Lady (Ernestine) who is held against her will through blackmail and the removal of her virtue by a rich and powerful Count (Oxtiern). The play has about 9 Characters, some intermittent and some just making an appearance in Act 3.
Oxtiern has taken Ernestine and her maid without the knowledge of Ernestine's Father who assumes she has just run away. Ernestine's betrothed (Herman) has been locked away on a trumped up charge by Oxtiern. The story evolves by Oxtiern trying to cunningly arrange the death of Ernestine, her Father and her brother. But I won't spoil the intricacies of the plot, I'll let you find out yourself when you  read it.
I enjoyed this little piece, the usual twists and turns apply as in most plays and was very easy to read. I just wanted to offer this theatrical piece up for discussion as it proves that D.A.F. could write commercial works as well as his notorious literary achievements which come to mind the instant De Sade's name is mentioned in whatever context.
I would like to hear your views on this subject, Please leave a comment.

Above: The only known portrait the Marquis De Sade actually sat for.

Henry Spencer Ashbee AKA Pisanus Fraxi

Here is a very unique individual, even by today's standards. Henry Spencer Ashbee (HSA) never seemed to sit still, he was constantly on the go. Either traveling to Holland, Germany or France on a very regular basis (before mobile phone and aeroplanes) or embarking on obsessive book collecting. He was a true globetrotter and travelled the world extensively and he didn't just collect any type of books, but books of an illegal erotic nature for that particular time (mid to late 1800's). If HSA had  been known by those in authority to have an interest in such vile matters, he may have been arrested. As did happen to some individuals. But only Henry and a few selected friends, who shared similar interests, were aware of his activities. Very little is known of Ashbee's particular tastes, although his comments on flagalation within his "Bibliography" try to feign disgust, his in-debt knowledge of the genre suggests more than a keen interest in this particular subject.
As HSA put together his famous three volume "Bibliography Of Prohibited Books" he decided, in these dangerous times, to create a pseudonym. He took the latin words Fraxinus (Ash) Apis (Bee) and out of these letters evolved the anagram Pisanus Fraxi. And so the legend was born. To gather the bulk of his collection and catalogue his library whilst also creating his three volume works was a mammoth task but a challenge HSA reveled in. Most of the "Bibliography Of Prohibited Books" was written approximately between 1877-1886 and it is widely assumed (but not confirmed) that between the years 1888 and 1894 Henry Spencer wrote "My Secret Life", an erotic tale that follows one mans journey from childhood to adulthood and all his sexual conquests/experiences in between.
This was a fascinating man who really did live life to the full until he eventually shook off his mortal coil in his beloved home on the 29th of July 1900.

Please leave a comment if you are interested in this subject.

Illustration: Ashbee in Paul Avril's bookplate 1890

The Marquis De Sade & 120 Days of Sodom + other writings

As I've said before, I'm new to the Erotica Game and although not a teenager anymore, I had assumed my eye's where adequately opened as a result of my life's experiences so far. That is until........I started reading The Marquis De Sade's 120 Days of Sodom & Other writings (American 1st Edition by Grove Press).
I thought his story of "Flourville & Courval" was actually very interesting. I was impressed at the way De Sade put the story together like a jigsaw. The constant revelations of Flourville entices the reader so it was very difficult to put the book down.(I won't give away the story so that you may read it yourself)
Onto 120 Days, well, what can I say? This book is predominantly a book for those with the unique fetish of Coprophagia (eating feces) to which over 50% of the chapters are dedicated. The language is descriptive albeit repetitive but the Characters are intriguing, robust Libertine's at their best, locked in a mansion with numerous playthings of both sexes and all ages at their disposal, to which they use to the utmost. 120 Days catalogues events that happen on a daily basis, and quite a number of the antics are performed after the detailed presentation of the Story-teller.
I found this literature at times frustrating as The Marquis eludes so much to events that are to follow, However, many of these events never arrive. De Sade also consistently encourages the reader to "Use your imagination" as to the goings on of other events.
Overall, I'm all the more wiser for reading it but it was at time laborious and if I dare say, boring.(Apologies to all Marquis De Sade Fans-this is just my opinion) This work has revealed part of a new world to me, and for that, I am grateful.
I've omitted the discussion of Part 4-120 Days of Sodom as it refers to De Sade theatrical works, I may return to it at a later date.
All comments are welcome on the above post - I would love to hear your views.

Francois Boucher and the rear of Mrs. O Murphy

Francois Boucher was a very prominant Artist of his time (16th Century), and a lot of his time was devoted to painting numerous versions of Mrs. Marie Louise O Murphy's bum. With Boucher being a lover of the classical themes of art, his decorative, idylic and voluptuous paintings would not be out of place above any mantle today. In the 16th century however, his obsession with the behind of Mademoiselle O Murphy was considered far too rude for public viewing, I will go one futher, it was considered to be the most sexually provocative picture of it's era because of the focus on the buttocks. The legs wide open was seen as an invitation to penetrate. Boucher made full use of the contours of, not only the rear but of the pillow and legs as well as the chaise longue itself. I would be very interested if you have any thought on this subject.

 

Félicien Rops

One of the Legends of Erotica that is still highly collectable today,
Mr. Félicien Rops (7 July 1833 - 23 August 1898)

I'm new to the "Erotica Collecting" Scene but I had the pleasure of researching some of Mr. Rops bookplates and frontispices recently. I have to say it was very educational. I'd to view some of his well known works of erotica and satanic illustrations which seem to grab your interest and hold you firmly within their grasp. All his drawings seemed very selfish, not wanting to share my eye's with the other works of art. My eye's were perfectly willing to oblige each and every one of the etchings, for the more I studied each individual picture-the more of the story evolved.
Mr. Rops has the fantastic talent (as do a number of Erotic Artists) of etching stories within stories i.e. whilst studying the so called main feature, from each corner of the drawing-whispers of other items emerge from the sidelines to tempt your eyes again.

If you would like to share your comments on Félecien Rops, I would be delighted to receive them.