Victorian Erotica: Hidden Desires and the Rise of Pornography
This article explores the realm of Victorian erotica and pornography, revealing a culture that outwardly denounced sexual immorality while secretly engaging with explicit content. It charts the transition from Georgian satirical illustrations to the more lifelike influence of photography on erotic art. A key figure is Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827), whose censored pieces illustrated sexual encounters. The Victorians’ public morality, which condemned practices like male homosexuality, starkly contrasts with their hidden enjoyment of erotic photographs. Robert Holloway's 1813 publication, 'The Phoenix of Sodom, or the Vere Street Coterie,' chronicled trials of men for homosexual offenses, leading to two executions and six public humiliations. Additionally, the article showcases examples of Victorian erotic photography, including a humorous reference to an image called 'Victorian Erotic Photography: Spanking.'
Key facts
- Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) was a Georgian artist and caricaturist known for satirical and erotic prints.
- Rowlandson's works were censored by around 1840.
- Victorian society publicly condemned debauchery, including prostitution, adultery, and homosexuality.
- Male homosexuality was criminalized, but lesbian acts were not, because penetration was deemed loathsome.
- Robert Holloway wrote 'The Phoenix of Sodom, or the Vere Street Coterie' in 1813 about a trial of men for homosexual acts.
- Two men were hanged and six pilloried in the Vere Street case.
- Photography transformed Victorian erotica into pornography by providing realistic images.
- The article includes examples of Victorian erotic photography from archives like Whores of Yore and CVLT Nation.
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Rowlandson
Institutions
- DailyArt Magazine
- Whores of Yore
- CVLT Nation
- PornCeptual
- My Hotz Pic
- Vice
Locations
- United Kingdom
- England