Poésies érotiques de Paul Verlaine (The Erotic Poetry of Paul Verlaine) is the first of two publishing collaborations between Hippolyte Romain and the gallery owner, collector and publisher Alexandre Dupouy. Based on an exhibition of Romain’s work at the Galerie les larmes d’Eros (Tears of Eros Gallery) in Paris during the autumn of 1996, the drawings are inspired by five of Verlaine’s most explicit works, Le amies (Friends) of 1868, Femmes (Women) of 1890, Hombres (Men) of 1891, Filles (Girls) of 1889, and Odes en son honneur (Odes in his Honour) of 1893.

Romain’s trademark drawing style is loose and expressive, using the minimum of line to describe sometimes quite complex interactions; many other erotic artists can learn much from his ‘less is more’ technique

Poésies érotiques de Paul Verlaine was published by Éditions Astarté in a limited numbered edition of 949 copies; a few copies are still available from Astarté, a link to which you will find here.