Did you known that the majority of erotic art throughout history has been created on commission? However, individualised and custom-made works may not have been explicitly documented as such to protect the privacy of the paying clients. Nonetheless, several renowned artists have created intimate and explicit pieces that we do know were commissioned or tailored to suit the tastes of private patrons. Here’s a glimpse into some instances of famous custom-made erotic art throughout history and a look at where erotic artists making commissioned content stand today.
Agostino Carracci’s ‘Lascivious Series’ (16th Century)
Édouard-Henri Avril’s private commissions (late 19th century)
Édouard-Henri Avril, a notable French painter and illustrator, took on the mantle of creating bespoke illustrations upon receiving private commissions. These personalised works, characterised by explicit scenes of eroticism and sensuality, were crafted with meticulous attention to the specific desires outlined by patrons.
Egon Schiele’s portraits for collectors (early 20th century)
Egon Schiele, renowned for his intense and erotic portraiture, accepted commissions from private collectors seeking custom-made works. These portraits, marked by explicit and emotionally charged depictions of the human form, were tailor-made to resonate with the unique desires and inclinations of the patrons.
The commissions of Hajime Sorayama (late 20th century)
Hajime Sorayama, a distinguished Japanese illustrator celebrated for his futuristic and erotic art, found himself creating numerous personalised pieces upon receiving commissions. His hyper-realistic and detailed depictions served as bespoke artworks, precisely catering to the specific fantasies and preferences articulated by individual patrons.
Custom erotica by Olivia De Berardinis (contemporary)
Olivia De Berardinis, an accomplished American artist renowned for her pin-up erotic art, actively engages in the creation of custom-made pieces based on specific requests from patrons. These bespoke artworks, often characterised by glamorous and sensual portrayals, are meticulously crafted to align seamlessly with the individual desires of the patrons.
The erotic portraits of Tamara de Lempicka (1920s–1930s)
Tamara de Lempicka, the acclaimed Polish Art Deco painter, left an indelible mark with her bold and sensual portraits. Some of her bespoke works were commissioned by affluent patrons, seeking personalised and glamorous depictions that encapsulated the spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
Contemporary custom-made digital art
You might think that in the digital age, custom-made erotic art has died its death. But in fact, the rise of the internet has only made this niche thrive even more. Artists operating on platforms such as Patreon or personal websites offer custom-made erotic art experiences, directly responding to bespoke requests from patrons. Often, the requests are very specific to certain characters from various media such as famous movies or manga, in specific situations, outfits or stances.
With the rise of custom-made porn, some sex workers who also consider themselves artists are combining erotic art and sex work to create artful porn that attracts a wide audience and beautifully blurs the line between erotica and pornography.
Sign up to Sensuali today to discover custom-made erotic art experiences.
Check out our exclusive interview with contemporary erotic artist, Aurelie Galois.
Iso
Iso is a writer and filmmaker based in East London. She is passionate about all things erotic and leads a sexy, shame-free life in hope that she can inspire others to do the same. Originally from a Northern seaside town, she is naturally drawn to the best things in life: candyfloss, trashy karaoke bars and heart-shaped sunglasses.
