As does everything, pornography has its history. Ever wonder how it came to be? What classifies an image as XXX or art appropriate for public viewing in a museum or photo gallery?
Let's first clarify what pornography is. The following is Webster's Dictionary Online description:
The depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement is known as Pornography. This has become a multibillion dollar industry. Ninety-five percent of the world's population has been exposed to pornography. Examples of pornographic materials include adult videos, magazines, live shows, phone sex, cable/pay per view, selected internet sites, art, digital pornography etc.
The History of Pornography
Pornography has been around since the dawn of time... the Romans and Greeks thrived on it. Changing technologies over time have altered the way sexually exciting images have been presented. Let's take a look at pornography's shady past.
The Ancient Art Form
To a large extent, people today face constant pornographic images. From lingerie ads to XXX porn. Pornography did not get to this stage overnight. It has long and varied history which mirrors civilization, going as far back as the flourishing days of the Romans and Greeks. In short... whether we love it, appreciate it as art, have no opinion regarding it, or if you absolutely loathe it... pornography has always been with us and has only changed along with the times.
In The Beginning
The original literal meaning of pornography was "writing about prostitutes" and comes from the Greek "porne" (prostitute) and graphein (write). Pornography itself was made up and coined by the British in the mid 19th Century that, when used, had a spurious air of age and scholarship about it. This begins the first we see of pornography having negative connotations and it being referred to in a derogatory manner. This included anything sexual, in writing or in art form. If the art form was sexually stimulating and given the term pornography, it was now that age in time that it was extremely controversial. At the same time, if the term "erotica" was used, it was used to describe something in a better and acceptable way.
Sex Has Always Been On Our Minds
As long as we humans have been able to draw, write and create, we have done so in creating erotic images. Not just for pleasure and to sexually stimulate, but also to tell stories. Look at some of the frescos, vases, statues, and other artifacts dating back to ancient times. There are nude figures, many which take on a sensual persona, that help tell a story. We see much beauty in them. Some people, however, see pornography images. The Greek breast-bearing statues for instance or how about the statue of David, any one going to call these porn? Or erotica?
Sex toys also come from the ancient Greeks where we trace back the first documented dildo. Back then, they were made of leather, stone or wood and sold to single females by local merchants.
A Masterpiece or Pornography?
Looking at works by Boccaccio, Marguerite of Navarre, and Chaucer, would we conclude their work falls into the category of sexually stimulating, XXX images, pornographic, or even gay porn?
Coming of Age
Danish criminologist Berl Kutchinsky traces modern pornographic roots back to the mid 17th Century when three pornographic classics appeared: La Puttana Errante (The Wayward Prostitute), L'Ecole des Filles (Girls School) and Satya. These shocking novelas at the time were translated into all major languages and in effect have become the models for all later pornographic books and movies. Pornographic themes became focused on multiple copulation, lesbianism, seduction, sodomy, flagellation, and sadism. As Kutchinsky wrote "... a disregard for artistic merit... monotonous repetitiousness and a constant exaggeration of sexual interest." In fact, in 1655, Samuel Pepys called L'Ecole des Filles "the most bawdy, lewd book that ever I saw".
Modern Explosion
How we in the 21st Century view porn, we'll call it Modern Porn, traces back to the 18th Century when it seemed to explode not just as erotic art, but as a modern business to make good profits from. An infamous work during this time was John Cleland's Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure or Fanny Hill from 1749. This book was frequently reprinted, widely translated, but not legally available in America until the 1960s! By the end of the 18th Century, the notorious "pornographer" some would call him, Marquis de Sade was dramatizing the connection between sex and violence. Artist of the like, Thomas Rowlandson, produced increasing numbers of vulgar prints. This was the turning point in modern history in which you can recognize that pornography was on its way to the booming, yet controversial, business it is today.
About the Author
Spanky is an avid reviewer of Gay Porn Star and recommends his articles for everything you need to know in the industry.
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