I first heard about the Erotic: Passion & Desire auction being held today at Sotheby’s via a CNN article written by Siri Hustvedt.
Walking from the tube station to Sotheby’s in central London to get a copy of the catalogue is a walk past some of the high end stores with products with big price tags. Opposite Sotheby’s is even The Fine Art Society.
Hustvedt’s analysis is that this auction gives gravitas to viewing women as sex objects. And looking through the catalogue I agree with her analysis. It is really uncomfortable to see an intellectual argument being made for these works to be sold at the highest price possible. This sale coming so soon after the Presidents Club story makes it even more uncomfortable.
I do believe that attitudes are changing and I wonder if today’s buyers have made a good investment. The value of these lots is only as good as someone willing to pay for them. Tomorrow they might not be able to give them away.
