If it weren’t for the clear signature and date on this 1925 portfolio of erotic drawings, it would be easy to make the case for them being by someone other than the illustrious children’s book illustrator Edgar d’Aulaire, but they are, and are the only such drawings of his known to exist.

When these drawings were made, Edgar was 27, a successful artist and illustrator who was very much in love with his young Norwegian fiancée. It is highly likely that their circle included the talented and versatile Russian-born illustrator Feodor Rojankovsky, who around the time these d’Aulaire drawings were made was working on his drawings for Pierre Louÿs’ Manuel de civilité pour les petites filles. Edgar and Rojan certainly knew each other later in America, when they were both highly successful children’s book illustrators.

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.