Erotic art covers any artistic work including paintings, sculptures, photographs, music and writings that is intended to evoke erotic arousal or that depicts scenes of love-making.

Defining erotic art is difficult since perceptions of both what is erotic and what is art fluctuate.

For example, a voluptuous nude painting by Peter Paul Rubens could have been considered erotic or pornographic when it was created for a private patron in the 17th century.

In a different context, a sculpture of a phallus in some African cultures may be considered a traditional symbol of potency though not overtly erotic.

Today, erotic artists thrive, although, in some circles, much of the genre is still not as accepted as the more standard genres of art such as portraiture and landscape.

Further Reading