Aventures d’un Bohémien (Adventures of a Bohemian) exists in three states, a portfolio of seven etched plates with a printed title page, six pencil drawings, and a further set of seven etchings in a folder hand-titled Boheme (Bohemian). All appear to feature the same pointy-chinned man, who from the backgrounds appears to be both an amateur artist and an amateur musician; no doubt there is an autobiographical element at work here.

It is interesting, but not surprising, that an amateur German artist would publish a portfolio appearing to emanate from Paris. ‘Édition des Curieux’ seems to have been created solely for this publication, though the similarly-named and established Bibliothèque des Curieux was well-known for publishing erotic works, including Ananga-Ranga and Retif de la Bretonne.

We are very grateful to Hans-Jürgen Döpp for these images; Hans-Jürgen, the compiler of many books on erotic art, curates the Venusberg online gallery and bookshop which you can find here.