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A prehistoric petroglyph of a vulva via Wiki Commons
Venus of Willendorf via Wiki Commons
Turin Erotic Papyrus via Wiki Commons
Erotic scene on the rim of an Attic red-figure kylix, c. 510 BC. via Wiki Commons
Athenian amphora, 5th century BC via Wiki Commons
Shunga Empire sculpture (India), 1st century BCE. Metropolitan Museum of Art. via Wiki Commons
Kama sutra illustration via Wiki Commons
Gallo-Roman bronze statuette (ca 1st century CE) of Priapus discovered in Picardy, northern France, made in two parts, with the top section concealing a giant phallus via Wiki Commons
Fresco of Priapus, Casa dei Vettii, Pompeii. via Wiki Commons
Julia with an athlete in I Modi. via Wiki Commons
Shayk Muhammad Ibn Mustafa Al-Misri Tuhfet Mulk. via Wiki Commons
Ximen and Golden Lotus, illustration from 17th-century Chinese edition via Wiki Commons
The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife, Hokusai, 1814. via Wiki Commons
Franz von Bayros via Delta of Venus
Plate XVIII from "De Figuris Veneris" via Wiki Commons
Coloured daguerreotype by Felix-Jacques Moulin, c.1851-1854 via Wiki Commons
Gustave Courbet, The Origin of the World, 1866 via Wiki Commons
Kneeling Girl, Resting on Both Elbows 1917 via Wiki Commons
Art History's Most Erotic Artworks See Gallery
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Arts and Culture Reporter, HuffPost
In the words of almighty queen Audre Lorde : "The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings. It is an internal sense of satisfaction to which, once we have experienced it, we know we can aspire."
In other words, eroticism is powerful. It always has been. And art is there to prove it.
In fact, the very first artistic venture of all time just may have been a tribute to eroticism's all-consuming force -- a simple cave drawing of a vulva, to be precise. How does one navigate from said minimalist genitalia to the more recognizable erotic artworks of folks like Egon Schiele and Gustav Courbet? You came to the right place.
Today we're examining art history's raciest nooks and crannies, from 32,000 B.C. to the early 20th century. Be warned, this tour is not for the prudish -- or those on a work computer. For the rest of you, please enjoy our NSFW glimpse at the eternal love affair between eroticism and art.
Around 37,000 years ago, in Southern France's rock shelter Abri Castanet, one bold (or very bored) artist dared go where no prehistoric creative had ventured before. With care and precision, he or she carved into the rock a lone vulva. Not only is this vision of prehistoric vagina the earliest erotic artwork known to date, it may also be the oldest cave engraving, period, proving once and for all that artists love their nudes.
Very little is known about the iconic limestone sculpture now known as "Venus of Willendorf," created between 28,000 B.C. and 25,000 B.C. in Willendorf, a village in Lower Austria. Now, however, the bodacious babe and her prominent labia have become an iconic example of early artistic renderings of the fertile female nude.
Turns out Ancient Egypt was home to the world's first naughty men's magazine. Measuring in at 8.5 feet, a massive papyrus scroll, dubbed The Turin Erotic Papyrus, features 12 erotic vignettes and a variety of sexual positions. The 1150 B.C. issue centerfold features an orgy of horny pharaohs.
Around 500 B.C., the ancient Greeks were known to throw symposiums, or drinking parties, where groups of toga-clad individuals would gather to eat, get drunk and talk philosophy. The rituals often featured kylixes , shallow cups with humorous and often suggestive images adorning the rim and bottom, which revealed themselves only when the wine was properly guzzled.
Also all the rage in Ancient Greece was pederasty, an erotic relationship between an adult male and a teen boy. At the time, Greek culture was saturated with images of such relationships, often realized via Attic vases. Somewhat strangely, the boy's genitals are rarely depicted with an erection, even when being fondled, and penetrative sex is never depicted, only intercrural.
India's Śuṅga Empire lasted between 187 and 78 B.C., and was defined by a burgeoning of art and philosophy. This was when royal patrons first started sponsoring the arts, specifically sculptures of stone and terra cotta, some of which featured some pretty graphic imagery, as depicted below.
One of the most iconic examples of early erotica is this Roman sculpture dating back to 20 A.D., featuring Pan, a half-goat, half-man Satyr from Greek mythology, having sex with a goat. When the British Museum displayed the work in 2013 they provided viewers with a warning sign, but spokesperson Olivia Rickman told The Huffington Post ancient Rome wasn't ashamed of displaying sex and explicit imagery. " It was not something to be hidden away ," she said.
The ancient Peruvian civilization Moche , active from 100 A.D. to 800 A.D., was another group who recognized the naughty potential just lurking in your ceramics cabinet. The Moche culture was particularly known for depicting anal sex rather than vaginal, sometimes with an infant breastfeeding during the act.
Vātsyāyana's famed Kama Sutra is a Sanskrit guide to getting it on that dates back to between 400 B.C. and A.D. 200. The guide features descriptions of 64 types of sexual acts, while articulating how desire can lead to a virtuous life. Although the first edition did not feature illustrations, it wasn't long before many artists stepped up to try their hand at immortalizing the wheelbarrow.
Meet Priapus, a Greek fertility god known for his oversized genitalia and permanent erection. Only, back in the first century in Greece, being well endowed was not a good thing, and his image was used mainly for laughs. Statues of Priapus and his perma-hard-on were commonly found in ancient doorways, and those who passed by were meant to stroke the statuesque penis.
In Rome, Priapus was also a thing, and, unlike the Greeks, the Romans admired his large member. Sometimes they made depictions of Priapus with his large erection being weighed on a scale agaisnt a satchel of gold, because why not.
The Italian Renaissance was collectively scandalized by an erotic text called I Modi (The Ways), illustrated by Marcantonio Raimondi, in which 16 sexual positions were explicitly visualized via detailed engravings. The originals, published in 1524, were destroyed and Raimondi was arrested, but copies of the original graphic encounters survive today. To provide scholastic credibility to his work, Raimondi hilariously rendered each of his sexual encounters using famous or mythological couples, like Antony and Cleopatra or Mars and Jupiter.
We don't know too much about this 1773 Turkish manuscript, made by illustrator Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Mustafa Al-Misri, except that it was eventually featured in " Seduced: Art and Sex from Antiquity to Now ." And it involves an interconnected circle of penetration in matching fez hats.
At the tail end of the Ming Dynasty -- around 1610 for the uninitiated -- an anonymous author published Jin Ping Mei, an erotic novel sometimes compared to Nabokov's classic. The accompanying illustrations, which date back to the 17th century, capture the ribald spirit of the text.
Shunga are the erotic woodblock prints popular in Japan's Edo period, around the turn of the 19th century. The renderings, at once salacious and silly, were dispersed throughout all members of society, given to samurais for good luck and as sexual guides for virginal brides. The images features sexual acts of all kinds -- from masturbation to cunnilingus to octopus sex.
It wasn't until the Victorian era, specifically 1857, that content was deemed "pornographic" in the contemporary sense, and mainstream culture began restricting the viewing of such explicit imagery. That, however, didn't stop Croatian-born, Austrian-based artist Franz von Bayros from rendering a naughty compendium of fetishistic illustrations, titled "Tales from the Dressing Table." In the series, young ladies clad in pearls and petticoats engage in lesbian romps, light BDSM and even some tasteful bestiality.
In the late 1800s, French artist Édouard-Henri Avril, under the pseudonym Paul, began illustrating the popular erotic lit of the time, the often-dubbed "galante literature."
Before 1839, erotic artwork was limited to drawings, paintings and sculptures. That is until Louis Daguerre came along and the world could enjoy detailed, realistic erotica thanks to the power of the daguerrotype. Because early daguerrotypes required three to 15 minutes of exposure time, the recipe for erotica shifted a bit. No longer able to capture the action of two people engaged in sex, erotic imagery focused on a sensual depiction of a nude woman, holding very still.
Finally! Gustav Courbet 's wonderfully graphic "The Origin of the World" shakes things up in 1866. With the infamous crotch shot, Courbet fought against societal standards deeming nudity only necessary when coupled with mythological idealization. Courbet changed course a bit with a radically realistic portrayal of a vagina, bush and all.
Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele , a protégé of Gustav Klimt, was a famed 20th-century painter known for his raw, sexual depictions. Although he had his fair share of controversies -- like reportedly being arrested for beginning an affair with a 17-year-old model -- Schiele was one of the first critically acclaimed artists to usher erotica into the realm of fine art.
That's where our brief tour through early erotic art comes to a close. Stay tuned for Part II.
Arts and Culture Reporter, HuffPost

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Sure, the internet is home to what feels like infinite porn websites and porn movies, but that can also leave you paralyzed by choice. Or, if you're not into the misogynistic undertones that tend to go hand-in-hand with so much of mainstream porn and need help finding your own happy little safe haven of sexy but not sex ist porn to watch for your next party of one (or with your partner—like vibrators , porn can be enjoyed solo or with company), then don't worry because we have you covered.
Contrary to some of the backwards, reductive stereotypes out there, it is not just men flocking to porn websites. According to a 2019 study, a full 31 percent of women are now clicking for kicks of their own. Need more stats and data to back this common sense fact up? Pornhub reported that, in 2020, women made up 35 percent of the site's visitors worldwide, which marks a three percent increase over the previous year. The moral of the story: Women have always watched porn and now, thanks to the internet, they're watching more of it than in years past.
But what if you're feeling frisky, but know that you're more than a little picky about your porn selections? Pornhub might be the reigning king of internet sex watching, it's certainly not the only name in the game. Below, check out our curated list of under-the-radar, female-friendly porn sites worth opening up an incognito tab for.
COST: Free for some video access; starting at $9.99 per month for plus.
PinkLabel celebrates independent filmmakers who want to explore every desire imaginable. Whatever you're into, there's probably a (very well-made) film for it on this website, which also offers a selection of free films so you can get a taste for what you're signing up with if you go for a membership.
COST: Free for some videos; from $9.99 per month for plus access.
CrashPad Series offers beautifully-shot, LGBTQIA+ narratives, with gorgeous cinematography that celebrates all bodies. It's the kind of sexy, inclusive representation that's missing in other mainstream porn.
There's everything under the sun on SinfulXXX, but unlike other porn tubes, the quality of the filmmaking is outstanding. Whether you're looking for gentle and passionate scenes or sweaty and dirty ones, there's an artfully shot film for you.
Like other porn sites, there's a mix of everything on this website. But unlike others, it's curated based on recommendations from real female viewers, so there's a lot more female gaze going on under tags like "Amateur" or "Vintage." It's a huge selection in one place.
COST: Access packages range from $1 per day to $7.95 per month.
GirlCore is a rising star in female porn, and for good reason: The site has very high standards when it comes to production value, a mix of silly, energetic videos that offer a spin on porn tropes and romantic, sensual films that are more reminiscent of other female porn sites.
COST: $19.95 to sign up, $9.95 a month after, with other rates for individual videos.
Bright Desire bills itself as a "celebration of sex" that aims to provide ethical, sexy, smart filmmaking that "move[s] beyond the old cliches" of porn. The films often feature real couples or sexy solo videos, there's high-quality production and genuine storytelling for whatever kind of porn you're interested in watching.
Sometimes the best porn isn't watched—it's heard. Quinn is an audio-only porn site that caters to women listeners with a variety of steamy, fun categories. Look for audio stories that revolve around everything from "accents" to "butt stuff," and picture whatever works for you .
COST: Memberships starting at $19.95/month (opens in new tab) .
The site hosts a variety of pornographic content and describes itself as a "smart and sexy erotic destination for women, by women. It also brags that Parks and Rec alum Rashida Jones has named the site's founder, Angie Rowntree, as one of her favorite female porn makers—you know, if you like your porn to come with a celebrity endorsement.
COST: Monthly subscriptions starting as low as $9.17/month (opens in new tab) .
A Dusk subscription gains you access to "unlimited porn for women" as well as sex lessons. The site promises that new videos are added daily, which means your subscription becomes more valuable every single day you have it.
This isn't a traditional pick, but we're including it anyway because good sex-ed is always sexy. Vivid-Ed is a division of Vivid Entertainment, but the site itself is run by sex educator and podcaster Tristan Taormino and promises to bring visitors "sex ed videos that are smart, sexy, educational and entertaining."
COST: Free trial, then $12.99/month or $59.99 for the year
Another entry into the exciting world of audio porn, Dipsea is a female-founded startup that focuses on storytelling to get you in the mood. Search stories by the pairing you're interested in, which are inclusive and come in a variety of scenarios (Her + Her stories, Her + Him stories, and Her + Them stories). And if you're feeling especially adventurous, Dipsea also accepts voice recordings from audio stars of the future. Plus, they have other stories that focus on wellness more generally, in case you're in a mood but not the mood.
COST: Free, but with premium content that costs as little as $8.33/month (opens in new tab) to access.
If you love sites like Pornhub because they're free and full of sex amateur-generated content, but wish they could just be fully female-friendly, then Bellesa is the site you (and your loins) have been yearning for.
COST: From $1 per day to $25 per month
Already a fan of the scripted films over at Bellesa? On their sister site, fan-favorite performers go off-book and tell the filmmakers who they're crushing on. Interviews are set up, and if everyone is down with everyone else, the cameras roll on their sexual encounters. It's a novel take on female porn with a sexy uncertainty and consent-focused approach that makes watching exciting and comfortable.
COST: $5 per video for 3-week rental or subscription plans starting at $10/month (opens in new tab) .
If you're looking for real-world sex with real bodies and real emotions, it doesn't get more real than Make Love Not Porn. The site bills itself as "the world’s first user-generated, human-curated social sex video-sharing platform." And yes, social sex means that the videos on the site some from real, regular people—not porn production companies. MLNP welcomes video submissions from adults of all ages (18 and over, obviously), genders, races, and sexualities.
Sounds of Pleasure is a simple, easy to navigate Tumblr dedicated to, as the name implies, sex sounds, including dirty talk, audio of people having sex and masturbating, and more.
COST: Plans starting from around $8/month (pro-rata).
The site features orgasm and confession vides from around the world and is updated at least five times a week. Beautiful Agony is also an ethical erotica source and promises that all contributors on the site have volunteered to appear and are paid a fee for doing so—they're also paid bonuses each time you watch or download their videos. A subscription gives you access to the site's full archive.
COST: You pay per minute (opens in new tab) with blocks of minutes starting at $2.95 for 10 minutes.
Good Vibrations After Dark is a feminist porn on-demand service from sex toy brand Good Vibrations. "We are proud to feature filmmakers and performers who are committed to pleasure, diversity, and serious fun," Jackie Strano, the company's executive vice president, explains (opens in new tab) .
COST: Staggered memberships, from $34.99 a month for a month-to-month membership to $143.40 a year for a yearly subscription.
The answer for women who crave real, intimate porn that's not just a male gaze-y tangle of limbs and orifices, XConfessions was created by awesome women who wanted an outlet for porn that's ethical (opens in new tab) and diverse. The member-only site provided a grant to 10 female directors to film their sexual fantasies and the response was a series of short porn videos shot with a sensual, emotional approach to great sex (and did we mention how cinematic they are?). Grab the popcorn and a vibe.
Cost: Erotic stories are free to read, and subscriptions are available for video
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