Erotic Art at LUMAS
Erotic art is one of the more challenging art genres - it takes tremendous skill and finesse to present the nude figure aesthetically, and without being too crass or explicit. We believe art is for everyone and that owning a genuine, rare piece of art is an incredible experience. It is therefore our mission to share this feeling with the world. This collection of nude art represents a curated selection from over 100 pieces of nude photography and paintings available online at LUMAS. These collection pieces have been chosen not only because of their aesthetic, but for the way they challenge and reinvent our notions of what constitutes art. We offer limited edition, hand-signed works by established names, as well as from talented up-and-coming photographers and artists.
If a naked body is body deprived of clothes, a nude, by contrast, is the body disburdened of more metaphorical weights and shackles - the human body as a work of art. One of the most controversial, yet long-standing artistic subjects, nudes are much more than the male and female form – they represent the spectrum of human emotion and the deep symbolic language of the body. Both instantly relatable and intriguingly foreign, the fine art nudes in the LUMAS collection explore this intimate topic.
Subjects and Themes of Erotic Art
The allure of bare skin is at the heart of erotic art. Women are very often featured in these pictures - the fascination with femininity goes far beyond pure eroticism, however, it has just as much to do with the aura of the model as well as the artistic staging of the female form. Consider the voyeuristic nature of the erotic art by Andreas Kock, who's female nudes are shot through a window, and compare it to the bold and very much 'outside' nature of the works by Paul Giggle. In female nude photography, women often symbolize empathy, security, sensuality, or passion. Of course, nude photos of male figures can also be found in the LUMAS collection - the male nude is no less an object of fascination, and is an equally venerable artistic subject. The male erotic form symbolizes for viewers a different set of ideas and emotions - their hard contours and their vulnerable presentation symbolizes strength and trust.
Erotic Art Photography: A Play of Light and Shadow
Erotic art is often confused for that which its subject matter is believed to directly imply: sex. While that isn't untrue, there is another reason that erotic photographers choose to work with the nude. The human body is an ideal springboard for the exploration of natural beauty and the novel possibilities opened up by the medium of photography.
Erotic art photography uses intense contrasts, or 'chiaroscuro', to elevate the gracefulness of its subjects. It draws upon the captivating interplay between light and shadow.
In the late 1940s, Heinrich Heidersberger created an iconic series of photos called 'Dress of Light', here he projected dots and striped patterns onto his models. In this way, he was able to present nude women without exposing them entirely. Following in this tradition, French video artist Dani Olivier uses digital projectors to create mesmerizing patterns on the skin of his subjects. This gives the subjects a hypnotizing, sculptural appearance.
A brief history of Nude Art
The nude is a central feature of Western art. A preoccupation of the ancient Greeks, and then on the decline during the Middle Ages, nude art underwent a revival with the Renaissance movement. Iconic works such as Michelangelo's “David” reintroduced the male form, whereas “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli revived the female figure. Following these masterpieces, classically themed nude art remained a popular subject among artists until the end of the 19th century. Since then, contemporary art has moved toward representations free from classicism and idealization. Now the body is an open subject, often stark and revealing. Not limited to the representation of the male and female nude, nude art continues to push our notions of gender, identity and eroticism.
Finding the Right Room for Your erotic art
There are several factors that will determine where a piece of art will truly shine. Nude art is especially popular in bedrooms, because the art and the room have a common trait: intimacy. Less provocative images and semi-nudes can also be suitable for living rooms.
That said, the effect a particular piece will have, is largely dependent on the artist’s intentions, and is also subject to interpretation. While some artworks are meant to focus on the simple allure of a person's au naturel, others are conceived to be provocative. Thinking about what the picture expresses and what it means to you can go a long way in helping you determine the best place to hang it!
Our page on bedroom art contains a wealth of suggestions on how to choose art for your bedroom. Size, color, tone, and theme all matter a great deal, especially the effect these factors have on the feng shui of a room, in other words, where the light and energy of a room are directed, and whether it makes a room or set of rooms feel closed off or connected.
Erotic art photos can be particularly difficult to harmonize within a greater concept for your home atmosphere. The nude is by definition titillating and displacing: the bedroom is a place of calm. Works by Rebecca Horn and by the duo Jaime Travezan and David Tortora provide and create this harmony, abstracting away from the nude form to get at the pure aesthetic principles it represents. The famous photographs by Jock Sturges take you on a journey to an entirely different time and place. These calm, moving photographs are prefectly suited as living room art, as they invite you to use your imagination, and turn your living room wall into a lense through which a different time and place can be expressed.
Signed and Numbered Erotic art by LUMAS
LUMAS specializes in matching fine art to your rooms. Browse our collection online and discover our large and varied selection of works. Use our 3D imaging to bring the artwork you love to life, or go one step further and see how it would look on your wall with our handy preview tool. Our fine art prints are face-mounted on durable acrylic glass for extra protection against dust, grime, and humidity. This is a truly high-end alternative to the poster prints or foam core prints offered by many brands.
Our entire collection of art prints are framed pictures available as Limited Editions or Open Editions. Limited-edition prints are numbered and hand-signed by the artist. Because there is a set print run (usually 75-150), the value increases as more prints are sold. This separates our portfolio from the mass-produced canvas prints made by various manufacturers. Experience the LUMAS difference for yourself today!
