Customer Reviews

Ars Erotica An Arousing History of Erotic Art

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This book is a nice introduction for the layperson to the history of ertotic art. It gives the background, but doesn't go over the average person's head. Some very nice art in here, though i think most of the poetry and some of the prose wasn't all that great. i do wish that lucie-smith had put the art of those he talked about in the text together, so that the reader can see an example of what he is discussing.

Any book that undertakes a history of erotic art, all of it, has undertaken a monumental task. Although this collection falls short in many ways, it still provides a broad survey of many eras, areas of the world, and artists. Organized by topic, this starts with "Sex in the Head" (mind, that is, not restroom), simply nudity of him and her, and classical themes, then moves on through couples of all sorts, solo activity, and more, on up to the edge of kinkiness. Although it covers a wide range of sexual activity and fantasy, many readers will appreciate that it stops short of the truly dark or bizarre.

Within its range, the editor presents a noteworthy range of artistic styles. These include old and not-so-old masters of the Western canon: Rubens and Rembrandt, Manet and Morisot, Titian and Tintoretto, Degas and Donatello, as well as more modern works from Picasso, Magritte, and Gill, on up to Mappelthorpe and Stefan May. The media cover a wide range, too, including woodcut, pencil, oils, and Schiele's nervous watercolors. Eastern artists receive their due, as well, including some of Hokusai's more baffling shunga and anonymous works from previous centuries in India and China.

Throughout, the editor has chosen texts to go with the artworks, including passages from Anais Nin, "Fanny Hill," Walt Whitman, and e.e. cummings. As with the imagery, quotations from lesser-known creators appears, too, and broaden the perspective. The editor starts each chapter with a page or two of his own commentary and perspective - I confess a favoritism for primary sources, however, and usually just dived right into the the collections of print and paint. Even if they don't always evoke strong feelings, these works present a broad experience in intellect and esthetics, but always with a happy connection to the body.

-- wiredweird

This is a great book for any art lover, classic or modern, abstract or old. My advice is buy now. A very good book you will definately enjoy

The discerning art lover will beas equally enthusiastic as the pro-fessional artist by ARS EROTICA.Seldomly researched in as much depth and clarity, here's a 1998 art book on erotica to treasure.