Who are the most erotic of the fine art visual artists from art history? Which fine artists are most known for their sensual portrayal of sexuality?
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 Kiss is a painting of a man and woman whose shapes merge as they embrace. The figures are enfolded in golden robes and on a bed of flowers in this erotic painting.
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 the artist Balthus’ ambiguous eroticism. We know there is something naughty going on in this room. The two girls in the painting seem poised in some sort of weird sexual swoon, and suggestively shaped objects seem to compete for their attention. In the painting there is a bowl full of red apples on the table that seems to sum up the artist's statement metaphorically: that these girls represent 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, Cunningham had an eye for turning the seemingly ordinary into a very sexy and sensual visual artwork using her camera.
Georgia O’Keefe’s (American, 1887-1986) large paintings of flowers and flower details are incredibly sensual and often likened to female genitalia. Music, Pink and Blue is a good example of O'Keefe's large flower microcosm paintings 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 Rop's artistic eroticism is first-rate, but perhaps a little creepy.
Some of the most erotic and passionate artwork of all time was created by Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475-1564). The artist's iconic sculpture 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 naked 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 and sensual fine artists?
Mary Rayme - Mary Rayme is a graphic designer and arts educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.
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