Section · Erotic art
Erotic art
Erotic art has a long history and an active market – from Japanese shunga to pin-up paintings. Owners often hesitate to ask. We value it discreetly.
A field of its own
Shunga – «spring pictures» – were erotic prints, books and paintings of Edo-period Japan. Almost every major ukiyo-e artist made them, among them Utamaro, whose album Utamakura (Poem of the Pillow, 1788) is one of the masterpieces of Japanese printmaking. Museums now exhibit shunga openly, and auction houses hold dedicated sales, such as Sotheby's Erotic: Passion & Desire in London in 2017.
In Western art, the field ranges from 18th-century libertine prints and erotic drawings by modern masters to the pin-up paintings of American illustrators. Gil Elvgren's originals for calendars and advertising have sold for up to $286,800.
What drives the value
- Artist and quality: works by known artists and of high quality are collected as art.
- Original or reproduction: shunga were reprinted and copied extensively; pin-ups exist mainly as printed calendars.
- Completeness: for shunga, complete albums and books are worth much more than single sheets.
- Condition and provenance: as with all works on paper.
Discretion
- PhotosYour photos are used only for the estimate and are not stored.
- AppraisalsWritten appraisals are confidential and sent only to you.
- ScopeWe only assess artworks depicting adults.
What erotic art sells for
Public auction results show the range – not what a specific piece is worth.
Gil Elvgren, The Merry Nymph (1947), Heritage Auctions, 2011 – record for the artist.
Elvgren, Thinking of You ($209,000) and Fire Belle ($191,200), Heritage.
Printed calendar pin-ups and reprinted shunga are common.
How to check what you have
- Shunga: original or reprint?: The same checks as for all Japanese prints: colour showing through on the back, soft mulberry paper, crisp lines. Meiji-era and modern reprints are very common.
- Album or single sheet?: Note whether sheets come from a bound album or book – and whether it is complete.
- Pin-up: painting or print?: An original is oil on canvas or board with visible brushwork; a calendar print is flat paper with a dot pattern under a magnifier.
- Signature: Compare with verified examples – signatures are easy to add to reproductions.
Questions
Is a shunga print valuable?
Early impressions by known artists, and especially complete albums, can be valuable. Most shunga on the market are later reprints or reproductions.
How much is a Gil Elvgren original worth?
His original paintings have sold for about $190,000 to $286,800 at auction. Calendar prints and reproductions are worth only a small fraction.
Will my photos be kept?
No. Photos for the free estimate are only used to create it and are not stored.
Do you own erotic art?
Photograph the front, the back and any marks, signatures or seals, and get a free estimate. For insurance, a sale or an estate, order an appraisal with a notarized signature.
Sources
- Wikipedia – Utamakura (Utamaro)
- Sotheby's – Erotic: Passion & Desire, London 2017 (shunga handscroll lot)
- Gallerix – Gil Elvgren pin-up illustration sold for $286,000
- Fine Books & Collections – Elvgren's Thinking of You brings $209,000 at Heritage
- Heritage Auctions – Elvgren's Fire Belle (Always Ready) brings $191,200
Images: public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. This page does not offer works for sale.