Sexual Identity Collection (#3)

Oscars Valentine, caricature of Oscar Wilde (litho)
7186253 Oscars Valentine, caricature of Oscar Wilde (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oscars Valentine, caricature of Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde)

Leda and the Swan (stone) (b / w photo)
ALI267123 Leda and the Swan (stone) (b/w photo) by Greco-Roman; Palazzo Ducale, Venice, Italy; Alinari

The birth of Helene and Pollux, the union of Leda and the swan (marble)
LRI4699801 The birth of Helene and Pollux, the union of Leda and the swan (marble) by Schiaffino, Bernardo (1678-1725); Musei di Strada Nuova, Palazzo Rosso, Genova, Liguria

Cameo of Leda and the Swan (agate)
XIR434180 Cameo of Leda and the Swan (agate) by Italian School, (16th century); Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy

the sexual union between Leda and the swan driven by Eros, 1st-2nd century
7145294 the sexual union between Leda and the swan driven by Eros, 1st-2nd century by Roman, (1st-2nd Century AD); Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, Crete

Lovers (engraving)
7186081 Lovers (engraving) by German School, (15th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lovers. Illustration from Bilder-Lexicon Kulturgeschichte (Verlag fur Kulturforschung)

Sella stercoraria, chair used to confirm the masculinity of the Pope (woodcut)
7186182 Sella stercoraria, chair used to confirm the masculinity of the Pope (woodcut) by German School, (17th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sella stercoraria)

Children of the devil living in fornication (woodcut)
7201454 Children of the devil living in fornication (woodcut) by German School, (15th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Children of the devil living in fornication)

The mare of Compere Pierre. (engraving and watercolour, 1800)
FIA5379832 The mare of Compere Pierre. (engraving and watercolour, 1800) by Ramberg, Johann Heinrich (1763-1840); Private Collection; (add.info.: The mare of Compere Pierre)

Leda Loved, 1929 (litho)
3643518 Leda Loved, 1929 (litho) by Gill, Eric (1882-1940); Private Collection; (add.info.: Leda Loved, 1929. Illustration for The Engraved Work of Eric Gill (V&A, 1963).); © Look and Learn

Leda and the Swan (oil on canvas)
3736758 Leda and the Swan (oil on canvas) by Jodi, Casimiro (1886-1948); 60.3x46 cm; Assicoop-Unipol Collection, Modena, Emilia Romagna, Italy; (add.info.: Collezione Assicoop Unipol); Ghigo Roli

Statue of Leda, Aetolian princess later Queen of Sparta, seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan
5323765 Statue of Leda, Aetolian princess later Queen of Sparta, seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan by David, Francois-Anne (1741-1824); (add.info.: Statue of Leda)

A Public Bath (engraving)
7186140 A Public Bath (engraving) by Solis, Virgilius, the elder (1514-62) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Public Bath)

Marital Bondage (watercolour)
7186299 Marital Bondage (watercolour) by Krain, Willibald (1886-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Marital Bondage. Illustration from Erganzungsband zum Bilder-Lexicon Kulturgeschichte)

Leda and the Swan, 1787 (engraving)
5323766 Leda and the Swan, 1787 (engraving) by David, Francois-Anne (1741-1824); (add.info.: Statue of Leda, Aetolian princess later Queen of Sparta, seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan)

Illustration from Hypnerotomachia Poliphili by Francesco Colonna, first published in 1499 (woodcut)
472279 Illustration from Hypnerotomachia Poliphili by Francesco Colonna, first published in 1499 (woodcut) by Italian School

Medieval couple sharing a bath (woodcut)
7186088 Medieval couple sharing a bath (woodcut) by European School, (16th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Medieval couple sharing a bath)

Woman bathing in a glass of sparkling wine (colour litho)
7186111 Woman bathing in a glass of sparkling wine (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woman bathing in a glass of sparkling wine)

Fruity sauce (colour litho)
7151035 Fruity sauce (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Comic postcard on a food related theme. Early 20th century. Signed: GAS.); © Look and Learn

Leda and the Swan, Oil on canvas
7224990 Leda and the Swan, Oil on canvas by Vinci, Leonardo da (1452-1519) (after); Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy; (add.info.: Leda and the Swan)

Leda and the Swan, Oil on canvas
7224989 Leda and the Swan, Oil on canvas by Vinci, Leonardo da (1452-1519) (after); Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy; (add.info.: VillaLeda and the Swan)

The Broken Fan (litho)
7186058 The Broken Fan (litho) by Huet, Jean-Baptiste (1745-1811) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Broken Fan)

Age is no protection against stupidity (woodcut)
7201600 Age is no protection against stupidity (woodcut) by European School, (16th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Age is no protection against stupidity)

Infidelity of women (woodcut)
7201536 Infidelity of women (woodcut) by Italian School, (16th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Infidelity of women)

Calendar vignettes, 16th Century (colour litho)
7201524 Calendar vignettes, 16th Century (colour litho) by German School, (16th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Calendar vignettes, 16th Century)

Blessing of the marriage bed (woodcut)
7201501 Blessing of the marriage bed (woodcut) by German School, (16th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Blessing of the marriage bed)

Depiction of the joys of life (engraving)
7201491 Depiction of the joys of life (engraving) by German School, (15th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Depiction of the joys of life)

Mating bull and cow (woodcut)
7201473 Mating bull and cow (woodcut) by German School, (16th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mating bull and cow)

Satirical sketch showing a man touching a womans breast (copper engraving)
7201447 Satirical sketch showing a man touching a womans breast (copper engraving) by German School, (15th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Leda and the swan with Eros, 200 - 230 (Parian and Luni marble)
7225055 Leda and the swan with Eros, 200 - 230 (Parian and Luni marble) by Roman, (3rd century AD); Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy; (add.info.: Sculpture depicting Leda and the swan with Eros)

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"Exploring the Spectrum of Sexual Identity: A Journey through Art and History" In a world where often misunderstood or stigmatized, art has long served as a powerful medium to express diverse experiences. From ancient sculptures like Leda of the "Naples Uffizi" type and Ganymede and the eagle, to more recent paintings such as Domenico Morelli's "Le tentazioni di santo Antonio, " these masterpieces offer glimpses into different facets of human sexuality. The marble depiction of Leda and the swan from the late 2nd century AD raises questions about desire, consent, and power dynamics. Similarly, Henry Havelock Ellis' oil painting from the mid-late 1890s challenges societal norms by exploring themes of same-sex attraction in an era when it was largely taboo. Even everyday objects like porcelain chargers can hold hidden meanings related to sexual identity. The c. 1750 charger showcases intricate designs that hint at eroticism beneath its delicate surface. Woodcuts such as "The Student Lovers" and "The Girlfriends" provide snapshots into intimate relationships between individuals who may have faced societal judgment for their love. These prints remind us that love knows no boundaries or gender restrictions. Ancient Greek mythology introduces us to Priapus, an ancient fertility god whose woodcut representation reflects society's fascination with sexuality throughout history. Meanwhile, lithographs like "Lovers on horseback" capture moments of passion without conforming to traditional notions of romance or heterosexuality. This artwork encourages viewers to embrace diversity in all forms. However, not all depictions are celebratory; some artworks reflect the struggles faced by marginalized communities due to their sexual identities. For instance, a colored engraving portrays a woman being fitted for protective armor against unwanted advances—a reminder that consent should always be respected regardless of one's orientation or gender expression.