Erotica Universalis Volume

Throughout history, artists from various cultures, including the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations, as well as more recent figures like Rembrandt, Courbet, Degas, and Picasso, have created erotic works driven by their fantasies and obsessions. These creations often faced censorship and were kept from public view.

The publication "Erotica Universalis" explores this hidden realm, revealing that many renowned writers such as Ovid, Aretino, Voltaire, Verlaine, and Maupassant also produced erotic literature that pushed the boundaries of decency. In addition, notable artists including Boucher, Fragonard, Dalí, and Matisse contributed illustrations to these provocative texts. Art historian Gilles Neret's "Erotica Universalis" offers a comprehensive visual survey of erotic illustration over the centuries. The first volume compiles an extensive selection of erotic art, primarily focusing on works from the last few centuries, while also including ancient Greek and Roman pieces. It features approximately 750 images, each presented on a full page, often accompanied by insightful summaries of the original texts. This collection highlights the parallel existence of erotic art within the broader art world.