Lesbianism in Erotica - Lesbianism in Visual Arts

Lesbianism in Visual Arts

Depictions of lesbianism are included among the erotic frescoes of Pompeii.

Since the Renaissance, a number of European painters, particularly modernists, have included themes of eroticism between women among their work. These artists include François Boucher, JMW Turner. Gustave Courbet's Sleep openly depicts two women asleep after love-making (indicated by the broken pearl necklace). Other painters include Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Christian Schad, Albert Marquet, Balthus, and Leonor Fini. More explicit depictions were an important part of the work of erotic illustrators such as Édouard-Henri Avril, Franz von Bayros Image:Franz von Bayros 003.jpg, Martin van Maële File:Martin Van Maele - La Grande Danse macabre des vifs - 33.jpg, Rojan, Gerda Wegener, Vala Moro, and Tom Poulton. Explicit depictions of lovemaking between women were also an important theme in Japanese erotic shunga, including the work of such masters as Utamaro, Hokusai, Katsukawa Shunchō, Utagawa Kunisada, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yanagawa Shigenobu, Keisai Eisen, Kawanabe Kyōsai, and Ikeda Terukata.

Audrey Kawasaki is a contemporary painter for whom erotic depictions of lesbianism form an important segment of her work.

The rise of photography was instrumental in the genesis of modern visual pornography, but erotic themes, including erotic lesbian themes, have been an important genre in art photography. Erotic and fetish photographers, such as Heinz von Perckhammer, David Hamilton, Steve Diet Goedde, and Bob Carlos Clarke frequently have included themes of eros between women in their work. More recently, lesbian and bisexual photographers such as Nan Goldin, Tee Corinne, Judy Francesconi, and Della Grace have focused on erotic themes, reclaiming a subject that has traditionally been mainly treated through the eye of male artists.

• Édouard-Henri Avril

• 1840 lithograph

• Martin van Maele

• Martin Van Maele – La Grande Danse macabre des vifs

• Rod Ashford's 1999 "Erotique" collection of vintage smut

• Lesbian scene from the 18th century