Contemporary Erotica, erotic art Erotic painting photography

Jurate Macnoriute
Peculiarities Of Contemporary Erotica

Though I must profess that erotic art was alien for my own creative work, that theme of physical love never touched my canvases (excepting some cartoons), but in connection with main research problem of this 17th issue of THE SECRETS OF PERFECTION (Vandalism on art. Its reasons and stimulus. The damage of picture Rembrandt's "Danae" on 15 June 1985). I am starting to elucidate peculiarities of contemporary erotic art, because we know that some relation between attacks on Rembrandt's masterpieces and depiction of naked body in art existed, a crazed peasant who vandalized the "Danae" motivated his attack in this way: I chose her (the "Danae"), because it was most precious. Besides that because naked woman depicted lying on bed. The picture which plot I think pornographic was exhibited for public viewing. Such things wronged my sensibility. Thus I think it is useful to research contemporary erotic art and to compare it with the "Danae" of Rembrandt.

For this research I have used methods of classification and comparison. Research objects are contemporary artists depicting naked human figures. Under consideration I take classification by kinds of art (photography, painting, graphics, sculpture, digital art), by sexual arousal effect (art nude, erotica, pornography), by kind of sexuality (gay art males, gay art females, erotica of normal people), classification by style (photorealistic/photo, realistic, surrealistic, expressionistic, naive), by plot (open erotica, religious, grotesque, caricatured, promotional, sophisticated, fantastic, pure lyrics) and by regions. For research Internet resources of erotic art reproductions are used, mainly resources of Google search engine. Under consideration I do not take pornographic movies, gifs, flash movies, comics, pure pornography without striving to art, and tasteless erotic art in traditional or in any other manner. Let those fine artists whose names elude me, do not resent. They may send their information for addition. Thus let as start the research. Understanding of pornography, erotica and nude art, their differences are analyzed in earlier my article (Is Rembrandt's "Danae" Pornography?) Let us concern about classification of erotic artists and characterization of different groups.

Classification by kinds of arts In this section I have divided erotic artists by technique they use, also I have introduced them giving here short characteristics of their works of art or only some impressions.
Erotic photography Erotica that is made in the easiest way. Contemporary photography is able to assimilate with painting, because various computer instrumental effects became possible. The artists:
1. Prehistory of contemporaries. German baron Wilhelm von Gloeden (1856 - 1931) settled in Taormina, Sicily and in the early 1890's he began photographing the male nude in poses of open homosexuality. He paid for models well, because the photographs were sold by the thousands. Mussolini's Fascists damaged great part of von Gloeden's collection of over three thousand glass plate negatives were left to caretaker Pancrazio Bucini. From the late sixties and early seventies when Vatican influence was weakened von Gloeden became known.
2. The French photographers gays known by their first names, Pierre et Gilles. They used photo-retouching techniques considerably that their photos even are called hand-painted. Thus Pierre et Gilles photography can be called half painting.
3. Shun Kochi, Japanese photo artist, interesting enough effect of golden skin, lyrics, likes red, black and white, depicts gay males.
4. Justice Howard likes curious situations.
5. Robert Maplethorpe the ninth decade of last century, black male nudes, sado-masochistic images of anal and oral sex.
6. George Dureau beauty of male body, humanistic attitude.
7. Luis Durante, talented Spanish photographer of girls and young women, nude young girls with exposed genitals. Bad content in beautiful form. Luis Durante works dreaming about great painters of the past Ribera, Velasquez and Goya; likes classic brown, yellow, red colors.

Erotic painting The largest group of erotic works of art. A reason that colored image is more liked by erotic art buyers, because it most fulfills its function, better effects sexual arousal, it is nearer reality than uncolored, stylized graphic, sculpture. The artists:
1. Nudes of Georgian (not American, but Asian from Tbilisi) artist Emzar Kiknavelidze. His dream woman always young, strong, immaculate, chaste and beautiful.
2. Argeninean painter Christian Mazzuca, grotesques, social problems.
3. Peter Colstee (the Netherlands)-- gay art, lyrical depiction of homosexuality, dreaming young males or boys in poetic tone, often views of water, boys in bottles, open spaces, linear drawing's domination, he does not reach pornography.
4. David-Glen Smith expressionistic sometimes grotesque, sometimes sentimental depiction of open homosexuality. Pure colors.
5. Jean-Marc Plassard acrylic painting similar to graphics.
6. Ukrainian art company ArtMaM.com, erotica, linear drawing, lyrics, painting and graphics.
7. Ross Johnston naive painting, lesbian.
8. L.O. Coughanowr, painting, photography, computer graphics, lesbian.
9. Eileen Doman lesbian artist, naive.
10. Erica Lehnhoff erotic painting, sinewy woman nudes, expressionistic.
11. Genevieve Steel (GIRL WITH PAST, TWO WOMEN VICTORY, TWO WOMEN IN ORANGE BED), expressionistic lesbianism, likes red colors, slashing fast movement, streamline drawing.
12. Marion Pinto (1935 - ) Lovers II, 1977, Pastel on paper, very soft beautiful composition; combination of cold red, flesh, brown, white colors.
13. Marion Pinto (1935 - ) Lovers II, 1977, Pastel on paper.
14. Peter Hocking open males homosexuality. Beautiful expressionistic painting.
15. Xiuming Lin, Chinese academic nude.
16. Raphael Perez depicted intimate relationships between two people whether man and woman, two women and two men. Likes play of light and shadow. Realistic manner similar to Caravaggio. Also he develops the second way of painting, naive, adopted from children.
17. Company Art Frahm, photo realistic painting of dressed women, promotional erotica in swelled by wind skirts of young nice women, pin-up.
18. Anthony Guerra, photo realistic painting, beautiful decorative composition of promotional nude.
19. Arthur Sarnoff, photo realistic painting, beautiful promotional nude.
20. Boris Vallejo Fantasy, Eroticism, Mythology. Beautiful composition.
21. Sophisticated male erotic art by Hero Tolsma from the Netherlands.
22. Egon Posselt male nude groteque.
23. Frederick Nunley sophisticated painting similar to graphics art.
24. Olivia de Berardinis, paintings, drawings, studies, gouaches, signed and numbered limited editions, and posters, while Olivia is the online outlet for books, catalogues, greeting cards, postcards.
25. Jennifer Janesko focuses her attention on the female form, her works were published in Playboy. Janesko chooses certain parts of the figure to create movement and flow, which allows the viewer to feel the strength and energy of the figure. Janesko uses metallic gold and silver on clothing and accessories. She uses airbrush and paintbrush to create a mixed media painting.
26. Jonathon Earl Bowser, dreamscapes mythological godess and natural world.
27. Delmas Howe, gay male artist, thematic painting with many figures.
28. Hajime Sorayama, beautiful composition, conceptual originality, thrilling. Creates "sexy robots", the female robot forms. Sorayama creates super realistic female pin ups and erotic art. The highly detailed art is featured in movies, books and monthly issues of Penthouse Magazine.
29. Delmas Howe, gay male artist, thematic painting with many figures.

Erotic graphics For the most part caricatures and illustrations, especially developed in the United States. Strong drawing of male body caricatures fascinates (the artists known as Logan, Matt, etc). The artists:
1. An artist known as Ponyboy, image of sexual supermen policemen.
2. Kevin Soderlund depicted caricatured open homosexuality.
3. ArtMaM.com, Ukrainian group of artists, most of all graphic artists. Characteristic domination of line, lyrics.
4. A painter-drawer known as Matt likes caricatured homosexuality of sportsmen.
5. An artist known as Logan, caricatured homosexuality.
6. H.S. Gabor (Smooch, "They went at it hammer and tongues"; Adele & Sylvie), lesbian artist, sophisticated near to caricatures.
7. Becki Jayne Harrelson, Judas' Kiss, 1993, Lithograph. On males' homosexuality and Christianity.
8. Sadao Hasegawa, Japanese male gays' artist. Lyrics, poetics, beautiful drawing.
9. Daniel P. Cox, print, parts of male body, shining color.
10. Don Boddeker exotic drawings, beautiful woman assimilates with animals -- zebra, flitter-mouse, damselfly, tiger, etc.
11. Patrice Murciano "Courbisme: the essence of erotic form", caricatured religious erotca "Marie-Madeleine".
12. Marquis de Panasewicz sophisticated pornography illustrations.
13. Karen Crosby English artist, shows details of woman body, in black and white, naturalism.

Erotic sculpture The smallest part of erotic art, because they have some problems with exposition of their sculptures in public places, because children are a part of society, children are everywhere, and erotic art is forbidden for them. The artists:
1. Leigh Heppell's erotic sculptures and art body casts. Erotic and nude art bronze sculptures of women.
2. Georg Viktor, erotic sculptures in marble and bronze.
3. Margaret Cherubin, erotic sculptures of coitus in bronze.
4. An artist known as Cassandra, lesbian artist, erotic sculptures of coitus (Freedom To Love Monument Project, The Memorial).
5. Karin Swildens, lesbian artist, sculptures of male phalluses, ceramics technique.
6. Steff Rocknak caricatured wood sculpture.

Erotic digital art For the most part contemporary young artists with poor art education, but using computer technique and photography. Characteristic breakaway from real world into fantastic environment. In respect of artistry the works often are poor. The artists:
1. Bruce Eves, ink jet on watercolor paper, sophisticated.
2. David Camp, 3D fantasy illustration to "Dante's World". Coordination of naturalism with decorativeness.
3. Ralph Hawke Manis "Erotic Fantasy Illustration" (digital and traditional media).
4. An artist known as MichelleX "Savage Desire" esoteric nude art. Without color.

Classification by sexual arousal effect Artworks depicting naked figures can be divided into nude, erotica and pornography (see my article about its reasoning). Above named artists are spread by these evidences.
Art nude As we clinched earlier art nude includes depictions of naked figure without effect of sexual arouse. This is the least group of erotic artists:
1. Emzar Kiknavelidze
2. Christian Mazzuca
3. Erica Lehnhoff
4. Anthony Guerra
5. Arthur Sarnoff
6. Don Boddeker
7. Ralph Hawke Manis
8. MichelleX
9. Boris Vallejo
10. Jennifer Janesko
11. Jonathon Earl Bowser
12. Steff Rocknak
13. Xiuming Lin

Erotica Depiction of naked figures in frames of decency. The artists:
1. Wilhelm von Gloeden.
2. Pierre et Gilles
3. Peter Colstee
4. ArtMaM.com
5. Ross Johnston
6. L.O. Coughanowr
7. Eileen Doman
8. Genevieve Steel
9. H.S. Gabor
10. Becki Jayne Harrelson
11. Shun Kochi
12. Marion Pinto
13. Karen Crosby
14. Daniel P. Cox
15. David Camp
16. Patrice Murciano
17. Hajime Sorayama
18. Olivia de Berardinis

Pornography Depiction of naked figures without decency (sado-masochistic images, scenes of anal and oral sex, exposed genitals, etc). This is the largest group of erotic artists:
1. Ponyboy
2. Kevin Soderlund
3. David-Glen Smith
4. Jean-Marc Plassard
5. Matt
6. Logan
7. Bruce Eves (Fifteen Sheets to the Wind)
8. Peter Hocking
9. Sadao Hasegawa
10. Peter Hocking
11. Raphael Perez
12. Marquis de Panasewicz
13. Egon Posselt
14. Leigh Heppell
15. Luis Durante
16. Margaret Cherubin
17. Cassandra
18. George Dureau
19. Karin Swildens
20. Robert Maplethorpe

Classification by kind of sexuality Word gays means homosexual people, sexually attracted only to people of the same sex as oneself. Homosexual movement is known from times of ancient Greece and perhaps earlier. I have to apologize readers belonging to gays sets for my naivety, because I really do not understand how one male can love another male laying his anal bowel. Yes, I have true compassion on these males who play female's role. Personally I do not understand also women who touch intimate parts of body of another woman. Let us go to art problems. Gays are different from normal people only by their particularity of sexual relations that is main their characteristic. Therefore they open themselves best in realm of erotic art.
Gay art males Gay artists are attracted by showing beauty of male body. Old saying that the ugliest woman is nicer than the most beautiful male becomes unsound. Even some artists lesbians, like Erica Lehnhoff, depict naked females with muscularity this same as males. Of course in such depiction any novelty we can not find. Novelty is perhaps in guy art works show of their own intimate life that tempts people who never knew about phenomenon of homosexuality. Together it tempts children too. Such things corrupt, pervert and molest young generation. Such works of art oftenest are separated from places accessible for young people. Gays have an argument that it is possible to birth cloned babies in a glass balloon or to graft dead female's uterus to male's abdomen. The group of gay artists depicting male bodies is largest in this section:
1. Wilhelm von Gloeden
2. Pierre et Gilles
3. Ponyboy
4. Kevin Soderlund
5. Peter Colstee
6. David-Glen Smith.
7. Jean-Marc Plassard.
8. ArtMaM.com
9. Matt
10. Logan
11. Becki Jayne Harrelson
12. Peter Hocking
13. Shun Kochi
14. Sadao Hasegawa
15. Peter Hocking
16. Raphael Perez
17. Hero Tolsma
18. Frederick Nunley
19. Robert Maplethorpe

Gay art females Lesbians art differs from homosexuals males very much. Women drawing often weaker, women more often hit to category of naive artists, their mood warmer, arrangement of details more tripping, colors play major role. If males often like to show serious beauty of themselves bodies, women look at bodies more frequently with light irony or depict passion like red-black storm. Sometimes beloved their object of depiction becomes sexual organs of male. In this also irony lies. The artists:
1. ArtMaM.com
2. Ross Johnston
3. L.O. Coughanowr
4. Eileen Doman
5. Genevieve Steel
6. H.S. Gabor
7. Raphael Perez
8. Marquis de Panasewicz
9. Margaret Cherubin
10. Cassandra
11. Karin Swildens

Erotic art of normal people Minimal number of contemporary artists collected this group:
1. Emzar Kiknavelidze.
2. Christian Mazzuca
3. Marion Pinto
4. Boris Vallejo
5. Art Frahm
6. Anthony Guerra
7. Arthur Sarnoff
8. Don Boddeker
9. David Camp
10. Ralph Hawke Manis
11. MichelleX
12. Jonathon Earl Bowser
13. Steff Rocknak
14. Xiuming Lin

Classification by style As we can see by the results below photorealistic, realistic and expressionistic ways of depiction are nearest for erotic art. It is because sexual arousal faster appears seeing real object of desire or most similar to real. Abstract signs are things of mind, but not of feelings. Just as a result photorealistic, realistic means are most fitting for erotic art. Expressionistic way is most loved by gays, it helps to express their worry and eternal feeling of sin.
Photorealistic/photo artists:
1. Wilhelm von Gloeden
2. Pierre et Gilles
3. Peter Colstee
4. Bruce Eves
5. Shun Kochi
6. Art Frahm
7. Anthony Guerra
8. Arthur Sarnoff
9. Don Boddeker
10. Justice Howard
11. Hajime Sorayama
12. Olivia de Berardinis
13. Jennifer Janesko
14. Karen Crosby
15. Robert Maplethorpe
16. George Dureau

Realistic artists:
1. Emzar Kiknavelidze
2. Jean-Marc Plassard
3. ArtMaM.com
4. Logan.
5. H.S. Gabor
6. Becki Jayne Harrelson
7. Sadao Hasegawa
8. Marquis de Panasewicz
9. Hero Tolsma
10. Frederick Nunley
11. Leigh Heppell
12. Margaret Cherubin
13. Karin Swildens
14. Luis Durante
15. Xiuming Lin

Surrealistic artists:
1. David Camp
2. Ralph Hawke Manis
3. MichelleX
4. Boris Vallejo
5. Jonathon Earl Bowser

Expressionistic artists:
1. Christian Mazzuca
2. Kevin Soderlund
3. Ponyboy
4. David-Glen Smith.
5. L.O. Coughanowr
6. Genevieve Steel
7. Erica Lehnhoff
8. Peter Hocking
9. Marion Pinto
10. Peter Hocking
11. Steff Rocknak
12. Raphael Perez
13. Daniel P. Cox
14. Egon Posselt
15. Cassandra

Naive artists:
1. Ross Johnston
2. Eileen Doman
3. Patrice Murciano

Classification by plot
Open erotica Unaffected, ingenuous erotica occupies the largest part of this section:
1. Wilhelm von Gloeden
2. Pierre et Gilles
3. Peter Colstee
4. Jean-Marc Plassard
5. ArtMaM.com
6. Ross Johnston
7. L.O. Coughanowr
8. Eileen Doman
9. Genevieve Steel
10. Erica Lehnhoff
11. Shun Kochi
12. Sadao Hasegawa
13. Marion Pinto
14. Daniel P. Cox
15. Leigh Heppell
16. Karen Crosby
17. Karen Crosby
18. Luis Durante
19. Margaret Cherubin
20. Cassandra
21. Robert Maplethorpe

Religious erotica Erotic love is caroled in the Old Testament of Bible and in documents of other religions. I have separated the group of religious erotica, because not a few artists try to show relation between sex and religion in various ways. Wilhelm von Gloeden, Pierre et Gilles, Peter Colstee like to depict gays as devout saints and martyrs (St. Sebastian, Jesus Christ, worshipful boys). The second subgroup is comprised of ironic artists, especially women, who see in religious mythology covert like homosexuality (Becki Jayne Harrelson, Judas' Kiss) or in life of religious people notice doublethink (half dressed nun of Justice Howard). The artists:
1. Wilhelm von Gloeden
2. Pierre et Gilles
3. Peter Colstee
4. Becki Jayne Harrelson
5. Patrice Murciano
6. Justice Howard

Grotesque erotica The artists of this group look at erotica as at horror or disaster:
1. Christian Mazzuca
2. Ponyboy
3. Kevin Soderlund
4. David-Glen Smith
5. Peter Hocking
6. Egon Posselt
7. Raphael Perez
8. George Dureau

Caricatured erotica Similar to grotesque erotica, but funnier. The artists:
1. Matt
2. Logan
3. Egon Posselt
4. Steff Rocknak

Promotional erotica. Advertisement industry. Some part of this group consists of modern artists of pin-up (a good girl in a bad situation)
1. Company Art Frahm
2. Anthony Guerra
3. Arthur Sarnoff
4. Boris Vallejo
5. Hajime Sorayama
6. Olivia de Berardinis
7. Jennifer Janesko

Sophisticated erotica This group joins illustrators and self-sufficient visionary visual narrators:
1. Bruce Eves
2. H.S. Gabor
3. Becki Jayne Harrelson
4. Sadao Hasegawa
5. Marquis de Panasewicz
6. Hero Tolsma
7. Frederick Nunley
8. Justice Howard
9. Don Boddeker
10. David Camp
11. Ralph Hawke Manis
12. MichelleX
13. Boris Vallejo
14. Jonathon Earl Bowser

Pure lyrics without substantial erotic effect:
1. Emzar Kiknavelidze
2. Peter Colstee
3. Shun Kochi
4. Art Frahm
5. Anthony Guerra
6. Xiuming Lin

Classification by regions Because business of pornography gives great money, though it has negative sequence for population, erotic art had utmost development in the Western regions of world where democracy predominated and any moral interdicts did not exist.
Western European region European erotic art more keeps old classics traditions. Spanish photographer Luis Durante is direct follower of Ribera, Goya; Peter Colstee from Netherlands upholds line of Jan Vermeer, Gabriel Metsu, Pieter de Hooch, Nicolaes Maes, and others. Peter Colstee's gay erotica can be compared with American pin-up. If pin-up means depiction of a good girl in a bad situation, Colstee's -- a good boy in a bad situation. Western european artists:
1. Wilhelm von Gloeden (Germany-Italy)
2. Pierre et Gilles (France)
3. Peter Colstee (Netherlands)
4. Luis Durante (Spain)
5. Marquis de Panasewicz (France)
6. Hero Tolsma (Netherlands)
7. Egon Posselt (Germany)
8. Leigh Heppell (UK)

Eastern European region In countries that were under socialist power erotic art has no deep tradition, because pornography was forbidden for its possibility to pervert and deprave population. But nude art without substantial sexual arousal effect was developed very much. At present some artists imitating occidentals started their business in realm of erotica and pornography.
1. ArtMaM.com (Ukraine)

Northern American region The largest group of erotic artists:
1. Ponyboy (USA)
2. Kevin Soderlund (USA)
3. David-Glen Smith (USA)
4. Jean-Marc Plassard
5. Matt (USA)
6. Logan (USA)
7. Ross Johnston (USA)
8. Bruce Eves (Canada)
9. L.O. Coughanowr (USA)
10. Eileen Doman (USA)
11. Genevieve Steel (USA)
12. H.S. Gabor (USA)
13. Daniel P. Cox (USA)
14. Frederick Nunley (USA)
15. Olivia de Berardinis (USA)
16. Jennifer Janesko (USA)
17. Jonathon Earl Bowser (Canada)
18. Robert Maplethorpe (USA)
19. George Dureau (USA)
20. Steff Rocknak (USA)

Latin American region's artists:
1. Christian Mazzuca (Argentina)

Asian region For the Far East and the former Soviet Union poetics, lyrics, absence of negative attitude to erotica are characteristic. For the Middle East more grotesque. The artists:
1. Shun Kochi (Japan)
2. Sadao Hasegawa (Japan)
3. Emzar Kiknavelidze (Georgia)
4. Raphael Perez (Israel)
5. Hajime Sorayama (Japan)
6. Xiuming Lin (China)

Conclusions After research that I have done above we received such conclusions:

By kinds of arts erotic artists are distributed in such ways: 1. The largest group of erotic works are paintings, because colored images are nearer reality than uncolored, stylized graphic, sculpture. They better effect sexual arousal of buyers. 2. The smallest part of erotic art is erotic sculptures, for difficulties of exposition of their sculptures in public places, because erotic art is forbidden for children.

By sexual arousal effect erotic artists are distributed in such ways: Artworks depicting naked figures are divided into nude, erotica and pornography. 1. Art nude without effect of sexual arouse is the least group of erotic art. 2. Artists depicting naked figures without decency schedule, that is pornography, are the largest group of erotic artists. Practical spectators seek for practical benefit. When picture causes sexual arousal it can serve like a sex doll for a real prostitute for which her user pays. On that score prices of naturalistic pornography are great.

By kind of sexuality erotic artists are distributed in such ways: 1. Minimal number of contemporary erotic artists collected the group of normal sexuality. 2. The group of gay male artists is largest.

By style erotic artists are distributed in such ways: 1. Photorealistic, realistic and expressionistic ways of depiction are nearest for erotic art. It is because sexual arousal faster appears seeing real object of desire or most similar to real. 1. Expressionistic way of depiction is most loved by gays.

By plot erotic artists are distributed in such ways: 1. Unaffected, ingenuous erotica occupies the largest part of this section. 2. Most curious is religious erotica. 2. The artists of grotesque and caricatured groups look at erotica as at horror or disaster. 3. Promotional erotica. Advertisement industry. 4. Sophisticated erotica's group joins visionary visual narrators.

By region erotic artists are characterized in such ways: 1. Because business of pornography gives great money (though it has negative sequence for population), erotic art had utmost development in the Western regions of world where democracy predominated and any moral interdicts did not exist. Western European erotic art more keeps old classics' traditions. 2. Eastern European region has poor experience in pornography, but great experience in nude art without sexual arousal effect. 3. For the Far East and the former Soviet Union poetics, lyrics, absence of negative attitude to erotica are characteristic. 4. For the Middle East grotesque is more typical.

After this research we can compare Rembrandt's princess "Danae" with contemporary erotic works of art (see analysis of this picture). In the context of today's art the "Danae" is poor enough in point of sexuality. Rembrandt's "Danae" may be ascribed only to nudes without effect of sexual arouse. Thus we still one time proved innocence of princess Danae.

My all articles published in the 17th issue of THE SECRETS OF PERFECTION on art and erotica:

Introduction.
What is Vandalism on Art?
Who Was Vandal on Rembrandt's "Danae", Bronius Maigis?
Is Rembrandt's "Danae" Pornography? What do Pornography, Erotica, Nude Art Mean?
Peculiarities Of Contemporary Erotica.