

Édouard-Henri Avril
Édouard-Henri Avril
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Born | 21 May 1849
Algiers, French Algeria
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Died | 28 July 1928(aged 79)
Le Raincy, Paris,French Third Republic
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Nationality | French |
Education | École des Beaux-Arts |
Known for | Illustrator of erotic literature |
Notable work
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De figuris Veneris,Fortunio |
Awards | Legion of Honour |
Édouard-Henri Avril, also known as Paul Avril, indeed had a remarkable career as a painter and commercial artist, particularly known for his illustrations in erotic literature. His work often featured intricate and sensuous depictions that captured the essence of the narratives he illustrated. Collaborating with influential figures like Octave Uzanne, Henry Spencer Ashbee, and Friedrich Karl Forberg, Avril’s art became synonymous with the aesthetic and artistic sensibilities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His illustrations, while controversial for their subject matter at the time, are now recognized as significant contributions to both the art of illustration and the history of erotica.[1]
Before embarking on his career in art, Avril served as a soldier. His valor and dedication during the Franco-Prussian War earned him the prestigious Legion of Honour award.
Édouard-Henri Avril
|
|
---|---|
Born | 21 May 1849
Algiers, French Algeria
|
Died | 28 July 1928(aged 79)
Le Raincy, Paris,French Third Republic
|
Nationality | French |
Education | École des Beaux-Arts |
Known for | Illustrator of erotic literature |
Notable work
|
De figuris Veneris,Fortunio |
Awards | Legion of Honour |
Life
Avril was born in Algiers, where his father served as a colonel in the gendarmerie. Before pursuing his studies in art, Avril himself fought in the Franco-Prussian War and was wounded. His injuries led to his retirement from military service on January 23, 1872. Notably, he was awarded the Legion of Honour on May 31, 1871, in recognition of the injuries he sustained during the war. These experiences undoubtedly influenced his later artistic career, contributing to the depth and complexity of his work.[2]
Biographical material of his life is scarce due to the obscene nature of his work, and because he worked under a pseudonym of “Paul Avril”.[3]His pseudonym can lead to a confusion with his brother,[1][4]who was named Paul-Victor Avril, and was also an artist and worked as an engraver.[4]Avril studied art in various Paris sex salons.
Commissioned to illustrate Théophile Gautier’s novel “Fortunio,” Avril adopted the pseudonym “Paul Avril.” His reputation swiftly burgeoned, garnering numerous commissions to illustrate works by prominent authors as well as what was known as “galante literature” — a euphemism for erotica prevalent at the time. Notably, Avril first gained acclaim as a commercial illustrator of novels before venturing into the realm of underground erotic literature. These clandestine works were often distributed in limited editions through subscription-based models, orchestrated by collectors. Typically, erotica of the era saw minimal print runs, sometimes restricted to just a hundred copies or less, and circulated exclusively within select circles of collectors.
Because of the obscenity of Avril and his works, it is difficult to assess the real impact that his art might have had on culture.[3]
Avril died at Le Raincy in Metropolitan France in 1928.[7]
Works

Bookplate designed by Avril for erotica collector Henry Spencer Ashbee
Avril’s notable illustrations include those for “De Figuris Veneris: A Manual of Classical Erotica” in 1906. Another significant work he illustrated was John Cleland’s “Fanny Hill” (also known as “Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure”), a groundbreaking and controversial publication as it was the first English novel to delve into erotica. Avril’s edition of the book features “Les charmes de Fanny exposés,” one of his most renowned illustrations. Additionally, he provided illustrations for Gustave Flaubert’s “Salammbô,” Théophile Gautier’s “Le Roi Caundale,” Jean Baptiste Louvet de Couvray’s “Adventures of the Chevalier de Faublas,” Mario Uchard’s “Mon Oncle Barbassou” (scenes in a harem), Jules Michelet’s “The Madam,” Hector France’s “Musk, Hashish and Blood,” the writings of Pietro Aretino, and the anonymous lesbian novel “Gamiani.” Avril’s contributions to these works solidified his reputation as a master illustrator of both classical and contemporary erotic literature.[2][6]
Prolific erotica collector Henry Spencer Ashbee commissioned Avril to design a bookplate for him.[9]Avril worked with Octave Uzanne,[10][11]who after leaving the Société des Amis des Livres, which he found too conservative and too concerned with the reissue of old works, started two new bibliographic societies. The Société des Bibliophiles Contemporaines (1889–1894)[12]consisted of 160 people from literary circles, including Avril.[11]
List of works and editions illustrated
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L’Éventail(1882)[10]
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L’Ombrelle – Le Gant – Le Manchon(1883)
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Fortunio(1883)[5]
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Adventures of the Chevalier de Faublas(1884)[13]
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Mon Oncle Barbassou(Scenes in a Harem) (1884)[5]
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Fanny Hill(fr. 1887, eng. 1906)[5]
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Oeuvres d’Horace(1887)[5]
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The Mirror of the World(1888)[14]
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Le Roi Caundale(1893)[5]
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Une nuit de Cléopâtre(1894)[15]
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The Life and Adventures of Father Silas(1896)[5]
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Daphnis et Chloé(1898)[5]
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Musk, Hashish and Blood(1899)[5]
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Les Sonnets Luxurieux de l’Aretin(1904)[5]
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Gamiani(1905)[5]
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De Figuris Veneris: A Manual of Classical Erotica(1906)[5]
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Salammbô(1906)[5]
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Histoire de Saturnin(1908)
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The Madam