Erotic Fine Art and Artists
Sexy artists and erotic artwork. Who were the best?
A list of the most famous artists who used sex and eroticism as part of their symbolism and content. Included are Gustav Klimt, Balthus and Michelangelo.
Who are the most erotic of the fine art visual artists?
Gustav Klimt (Austrian, 1862-1918) is perhaps considered one of the most erotic visual artists of all time. The Kiss (1907-1908) is probably one of the most recognizable paintings from art history. The painting is of a man and woman whose shapes merge as they embrace. The figures are enfolded in golden robes and on a bed of flowers.
Then there is Balthus (Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, Polish/French, 1908-2001) who presents somewhat ambiguous, but highly erotic scenarios of young women at the beginning of their sexual awareness. The Living Room (1941-1943) is probably the best example of Balthus’ ambiguous eroticism. We know there is something naughty going on in this room. The two girls seem poised in some sort of weird sexual swoon, and suggestively shaped objects seem to compete for their attention. The bowl full of red apples on the table seem to sum up the situation metaphorically, as ripe fruit with tender green leaves.
The photographs of Imogen Cunningham (American, 1883-1976) are erotic, sensual, and sexy. From close-up flowers to naked women to sensual sheet folds in an unmade bed, Cunngham had an eye for turning the seemingly ordinary into a very sexy and sensual visual artwork.
Georgia O’Keefe’s (American, 1887-1986) large paintings of flowers and flower details are incredibly sensual and often likened to female anatomy. Music, Pink and Blue is a good example of O'Keef's large flower microcosms that are lovely folds of shape and color.
Felicien Rops (Belgian, 1833-1898) is often referred to as a Symbolist, which he is, but his imagery is very dark and sexual. Here is a quote from Rops, “Within this body is imprisoned a soul like a half-starved tiger in an iron cage, bellowing out its dreadful passions. All men seem mean and pretty to me, ingloriously lewd, traveling salesmen with their second-rate eroticism!” Make no mistake, Felicien Rops artistic eroticism is first-rate, but perhaps a little creepy.
Perhaps some of the most erotic and passionate artwork of all time was created by Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475-1564). His iconic statue of David is powerful and erotic especially given that he is a fine masculine figure about to defeat the giant, Goliath. And it’s not just David. All of Michelangelo’s figures, whether painted or sculpted, are created with a passion for representing the body. The Sistine Chapel, seen as a whole, is a writhing sea of pumped-up and elongated bodies. It is Michelangelo’s obsession with the human figure (and definitely not his poetry) that makes his work sexy and erotic.
Who else might be included in this list of erotic fine artists?
