Flagellantismus als literarisches Motiv

Der Flagellantismus als literarisches Motiv (Flagellantism as a Literary Motif) is a pioneering, multi‑volume study by German author, occultist, and early sexologist Ernst Schertel (1884‑1958). Issued in four volumes between 1929 and 1932 by Schertel’s own Parthenon Verlag in Leipzig. The work stands as one of the most thorough early scholarly investigations of flagellation, specifically the erotic excitement generated by whipping or being whipped, as a recurring theme … Continue reading Flagellantismus als literarisches Motiv

Man Ray

Man Ray was actively photographing from 1918 until shortly before his death in 1976, spanning nearly 60 years. He began seriously in 1918 by documenting his own artwork in New York, innovated with rayographs in 1922 after moving to Paris, and produced his most iconic Surrealist and experimental works (including bondage-themed series) in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He continued commercial portraiture, fashion photography, and experiments through the 1940s–1970s in Hollywood and back in Paris, though his peak creative output was in the interwar period (1920s–1930s). Continue reading Man Ray

History of Sex Machines 

The history of artificial sexual aids dates back to prehistoric times, with the oldest dildos found in Germany. Ancient Greeks and Romans used phallic objects, while the first true sex machines emerged in the 18th century, disguised as medical devices for treating “hysteria.” Vibrators began with steam-powered models like The Manipulator in 1880, leading to electric versions by the early 1900s. Today, historical devices are preserved in museums, reflecting their evolution. Continue reading History of Sex Machines 

William Seabrook: The Occult Sadist

William Seabrook (1884–1945), occult journalist and BDSM pioneer, ritualized bondage as mystical ecstasy among Surrealists. He commissioned Man Ray’s 1930 Fantasies series, featuring Lee Miller collared by Maison Worth. The infamous 1929 Paris staircase incident chained a submissive for voyeuristic photos. His transcendent sadism legacy persists despite tragic suicide. Continue reading William Seabrook: The Occult Sadist

Carlo Mollino: Architect of Secret Desires

Carlo Mollino, a 20th-century Italian architect, produced a remarkable collection of private Polaroids depicting women in luxurious settings, expressing both elegance and submission. His work blends Surrealism and contemporary kink, capturing a nuanced power exchange. Celebrated posthumously, Mollino’s art reveals deeper themes of intimacy and eroticism, remaining influential today. Continue reading Carlo Mollino: Architect of Secret Desires

Carl Breuer-Courth

Eugène Réunier, a pseudonym for German artist Carl Breuer-Courth, significantly influenced early 20th-century erotic art. His 1925 portfolio, Autour de l’Amour, depicted themes of dominance and submission, pioneering visual narratives for the kink community. Réunier’s legacy intertwines with the dismantling of Victorian taboos, preserving crucial aspects of BDSM history. Continue reading Carl Breuer-Courth

Charles Gates Sheldon

Charles Gates Sheldon (1888–1960) didn’t set out to be a fetishist. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, he trained at the Art Students League in New York under luminaries like George Bridgman. By 1916 he was already the go-to illustrator for The Ladies’ Home Journal, turning out soft-focus cover girls in pastel and charcoal that made every reader believe beauty was just one sigh away.But Sheldon wasn’t … Continue reading Charles Gates Sheldon