Forbidden beauty: where is the line between art and erotica? (23 photos)

Today, 10:00

Many photographers are exploring the theme of the nude female body. Each has their own style and vision of female beauty. Many wonder why some photographers produce merely erotic photographs, while others create art. Perhaps true creativity is born when images of female beauty in photography extend beyond overt sexuality and voyeurism.

We offer a selection of images from world-renowned photographers and those for whom photography is simply a hobby. They capture unknown models and global stars, but all the works share one thing in common: they are created with love, skill, and undoubted taste.

Angelina Jolie. Photographer Brad Pitt

Some photographers deliberately sought a balance between research and contemplation of the phenomenon of female beauty. Others simply poured their heart and soul into their work and achieved beautiful results. Some of the photographs presented are from private collections and therefore unknown to the general public, although everyone knows the names of their photographers.

Karen Pini, 1978. Photographer Patrick Litchfield

Peaches, 2002. Photographer Ellen von Unwerth

Model Lana Zakocela. Photographer Gilles Bensimon

Laetitia Casta, New York, 1996. Photographer Albert Watson

Christina. Photographer Sascha Leyendecker

Lisa with a Harp, 1939. Photographer Horst P. Horst

Strip Club Employees Waiting to Go on Stage, Soho, London, 1968. Photographer John Goldblatt

Neorealism, Milan, 2000. Photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri

Christy Turlington. Photograph by Ellen von Unwerth

Lazy Saturday in Tuscany. Sabina and Katya. Photographer Milian Eyes

Model Cherokee Looker, 2020. Photographer Josh Ryan

Model Anchen. Photographer Andy Singer

Reflection, 1999. Photographer Thierry Mugler

Sifnos. Photographer Guillaume Gilbert

Model Gabriela Spader. Photographer David Bellemere

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, 1986. Photographer Guy Le Baub

Jasmine for Vogue Germany, 2009. Photographer Olaf Wipperfürth

Model Nathalie Roser. Photographer Cameron McKee

Monica Bellucci for Marie Claire, 1993

Repentance, 2008. Model Jenna Jameson. Photographer Gavin Bond

Kate Moss, Los Angeles, Harpers Bazaar, 1996. Photographer Mario Testino

What do you think is the line between eroticism and art in photography? What, in your opinion, makes a photograph truly expressive and deeply artistic? Share your thoughts in the comments—your opinions matter.