Erotica in Art

 

" In art, immorality cannot exist.
Art is always sacred"

                                                     August Rodin

 

One of the most talented artists of his time, Martin van Maele (who also used the pseudonym A. Van Troizem) worked as an illustrator of early 20th century literature. His best work during the 26 years he was active, however, was in the field of erotic literature. His work rivals those of his contemporaries, Felician Rops and Luc Lafnet.

It appears Van Maele's career began with his illustrations for H.G. Wells Les Premiers Hommes dans la Lune, published by Felix Juven in 1901. The title later became the classic 1902 sci-fi silent film called Le Voyage dans la lune, produced by Georges Méliès. Van Maele also illustrated Anatole France's Thais, published by Charles Carrington, also in 1901. The following year, and ocassionaly thereafter, Van Maele worked as a sometimes illustrator for the Felix Juven's French translations of the Sherlock Holmes series.