Sotheby’s has swapped it usual wares of fine art and antique jewellery for something a little more audacious in its latest sale.
For its new erotic art auction, the auction house is putting some rather revealing sketches, titillating sculptures and rude paintings under the hammer – and they’re expected to fetch millions.
The second annual Erotic: Passion & Desire Auction includes blush-inducing pieces such as a topless Kate Moss, and a very sexual Picasso sketch.
The priciest piece is a Francis Picabia painting of nude women and is expected to go for between £400,000 and £600,000.
Famous face: A photograph of a topless Kate Moss underwater by Chris Levine entitled She’s Light appears in the collection
Dangerous: In Nastassja Kinski and the Serpent, the German actress poses naked as a snaked wraps itself around her
A Francis Picabia painting of nude women called Les baigneuses, femmes nues bord de me is up for £400,000 to £600,000
The most famous face in the collection is a picture of Kate Moss by Chris Levine called She Is Light, in which the model reveals her breasts underwater.
Meanwhile, a striking black and white photo called Nastassja Kinski and the Serpent sees the German actress with a snake wrapped around her naked body while she stares calmly down the camera lens.
One of the most eye-catching pieces up for sale is a sketch by Pablo Picasso entitled by Homme et femme nus, which shows a naked man and woman in the artist’s iconic style, and is expected to fetch £250,000 to £350,000.
Proving that erotica has stood the test of time, the oldest piece in the collection is A Roman Terracotta Plaque with Brothel Scene which dates back to the first century and is expected to sell from £20,000 to £30,000.
Naked: Pablo Picasso’s Homme et femme nus, which shows a naked man and woman in the artist’s iconic style could fetch £350,000
Ancient erotica@ The oldest piece in the collection is A Roman Terracotta Plaque with Brothel Scene which dates back to the first century will reach up to £30,000
Picasso’s 1967 Trois nus assis shows three women sitting naked and chatting amongst themselves
Around the world in erotic art: A pair of images from 18th century India show a couple during intercourse
Modern art: Tracy Emin’s 2007 oil painting How I Think I Feel could fetch up to £70,000
The female form is put on full display in another Picasso piece from 1967 called Trois nus assis in which three women sit naked and chatting amongst themselves.
Erotic art from across the world is featured in the collection, including a pair of images from 18th century India that show a couple during intercourse.
British artist Tracey Emin’s 2007 oil painting How I Think I Feel features in the collection and is expected to fetch between £50,000 to £70,000.
Model behaviour: Pick Me Up by Rankin shows a male model flaunting his muscular frame
Bronze: Michael Ayrton’s bronze sculpture Couple sees two people intertwined and is expected to sell for between £4,000 and £6,000
Relaxed: Sir William Russell Flint’s Jasmin from 1950 sees a naked woman relaxing on her bed
Classical: This sculpture is called Sleeping Hermaphroditus and was made circa 1800
Very erotic art: This pornographic film poster for Emmanuelle is expected to reach up to £800
Constantine Frangos, Head of Sale at Sotherby’s, said: ‘The story of erotic art is a story from many different times and many different lands, and our second Erotic sale brings together a broad range of artworks and objects which lay bare the history of human sexuality in all its guises.
‘Following the success of last year’s inaugural sale, we’re thrilled to bring together another rich and diverse group, striking in both subject matter and artistic expression.’
The Erotic: Passion & Desire auction will be held in London on February 15.
Fine art: This Portrait of Elizabeth Trentham, Viscountess Cullen, as Venus will sell for £80,000 to £120,000
Vintage: This photograph of two wooden sculptures in sex positions is from 1928
Male beauty: The Sluggard by Frederic Leighton will fetch between £18,000 to £25,000
Beautiful: This Francesco Barzaghi sculpture could sell for a huge £600,000
A modern twist: Yves Klein’s Blue Venus from 1962 could sell for up to £70,000
Stood the test of time: The Bust of Antinous is from 18th century France and could fetch £150,000
Breathtaking: Venus and Adonis by Jacopo is one of the more traditional pieces in the collection