Romantique

The erotic art of times past is sometimes the most captivating. ROMANTIQUE offers a veritable banquet of early nineteenth century erotic prints and lithographs, culled from the renowned private collection of rare and beautiful erotica amassed by Hans-Jurgen Dopp.

In both black and white and brilliant color, these lithographs explicitly present the full spectrum of human sexuality. Solos, two-ways, three-ways, four-ways - even the "Noble Orgy" - are joyously reprinted in ROMANTIQUE. But the high artistic quality and aesthetic appeal of these images make them unusual as well as sensual. A mood of delight and humor suffuses these prints. All are showcased in a book of stunningly handsome quality.

ROMANTIQUE is interesting as cultural history as well, as this collection sheds a powerful, important and delirously unabashed light on erotic desire in early nineteenth century bourgeois France. Here are aristocrats and ladies, shepherds and shepherdesses, nuns and lesbians - all romp through these pages satisfying themselves in ballrooms and bedrooms, on riverbanks and in convents, oblivious of conventional morality and the watchful gaze.

11' x 12", 224 pp., over 200 prints and lithographs

Hans-Jurgen Dopp was born in 1940, studied sociology and pedagogy, and currently teaches in Frankfurt, Germany. His important collection of erotic art has been built up over many years by drawing upon sources in various European countries.