The Lusty Lifestyle of the Aristocracy
“I could only see voluptuous groups in all kinds of positions, they were in pairs, threesomes, foursomes and two consisted of more people. … One consisted of a gentleman with six ladies. He penetrated one with his spear. He was lying on the back on a narrow bed that was placed on two chairs. Another lady that he was playing with on her lusty grotto with his tongue, sat on his chest. With his hands, he was tickling two other shells and with his big toes another two.” (from the memoirs of a singer in 1861)
Fig. 1: Minotaur, ink drawing, 2005 – Eric Ecrement
Debauchery of Noble Families
Making love outside the rules made by Western cultures, seemed to be a monopoly by the upper class. Between 1500 and 1600, especially members from aristocracy understood it very well how to withdraw from strict Christian order. This form or sexual anarchy, as one might call it, was perfected in promiscuous feasts. The imagery of the last supper was used for wild fantasies that lead to debauchery of the Borgia which was one of the most famous noble families in Italy. Their excesses have become so well-known that they were even picked up in the eponymous tv series.
Fig. 2: Pasha, aquarelle, 1790 – Thomas Rowlandson
Fig. 3: Illustration from “Bigarrure”, aquarelle on copper engraving I, 1799 - anonymous
Fig. 4: Illustration from “Bigarrure”, aquarelle on copper engraving II, 1799 - anonymous
Fig. 5: Illustration from “Bigarrure”, aquarelle on copper engraving III, 1799 - anonymous
Fig. 6: Bacchanalie, aquarelle, 1830 – Carl Brullov
Alexander VI and His Lusty Desires
The Boria family also brought forth two popes, one of them was Alexander VI who was one of the most influential political personalities during the Renaissance time. He was also famous for his lust and regularly summoned dozens of women to come to the Vatican at night. With many connections and advocates, it was no problem for the pope to get what he longed for. In the evening before All Saints’ Day in 1501, he held a feast and picked 50 women as courtesans for his wild fantasies. Those women then had to get undressed, go down on all fours and pick up chestnuts people were throwing all over the place. At the end, prices were given out to those who had proven their manliness the best to them. That certainly involved sexual actions and a wild orgy. If the courtesans all participated willingly, is unclear.
Fig. 7: Masquerade, colored engraving, 1830 – anonymous
Fig. 8: Après la Victoire, colored lithograph I, 1840 – anonymous
Fig. 9: Après la Victoire, colored lithograph II, 1840 – anonymous
Fig. 10: untitled, colored lithograph, 1840 – anonymous
Fig. 11: Illustrations from “Musée des Familles”, colored lithograph I, 1840 – anonymous
Fig. 12: Illustrations from “Musée des Familles”, colored lithograph II, 1840 – anonymous
Fig. 13: untitled, colored lithograph, 1850 - anonymous
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Source: Orgien, Ekstatische Feste in der Kunst, Hans-Jürgen Döpp (Hrsg.), Palast Verlag, 2007
