I've had this book on order for a while now, and finally it arrived on Friday, and what a delight it is. I purchased this book for research for my next historical hero, Lord Wallingford, who's book Sinful, comes out in May '10 ( you will get to see him in Addicted first). Wallingford is a complicated fellow, cold, aloof, with a jaded outlook and a stinging tongue~a bit of misogynist, really. But beneath that facade is really a very passionate man, tortured by a scandalous past and a dark secret. He is an earl, an heir to a dukedom and he is an artist--painter and sculptor and most notorious libertine.
I thought this book would provide some much needed inspiration, and did it ever. I would recommend this book to writers who like to write in the mid-late Victorian period, and also the early part of the 20th century. It has stunning coloured pictures, and very interesting ancitodal text~it is also extremely erotic. I really didn't know alot about the erotic art movement, other than some of Rodin's sculptures. Mistakenly, I believed that the period mostly produced naughtly playing cards, burlesque and erotic literature. How wrong I was. What impressed me most was the art, while erotic, was also very sensual and emotional, something I, myself, like to convey in my writing.
If you're not a writer, and don't require research, I'd encourage you to pick up this book for the lovely plates, and the art alone. Especially if you're a fan of erotic romance, you will find this very intriguining. I certainly found it very inspiring!
I purchased it off the Victoria and Albert museum shop (V&A museum-London) They have a very informative website with a large collection of pictures. Fascinating place, and one I hope to visit soon. If you're not a fan of the era I mentioned, visit the site anyway as they have artifacts from the Dark Ages right up to present day modern furniture. Their 'exotics' exhibit are awe inspiring. India, Middle East, East/West Indies are all there in their colonial slendor.
Does anyone else have any other erotic painters, books, portraits that might recommend for inspiration? Do you have a favorite piece of erotic art you'd be willing to share?
