Édouard-Henri Avril (1849-1928) - Instructional Erotic Postcard Series "Wedding Night," Russian Version (circa 1910).
A set of six hand-colored erotic postcards by Édouard-Henri Avril, a French illustrator known for his bold and sublime depictions of amorous acts. The series on display is titled "The Wedding Night" and is a narratively guided instructional series showing the successive stages of sexual initiation of newlyweds. The Russian version of the series dates from around 1910, making it not only a rare example of Belle Époque erotic art, but also a historical document on the mores of the period in Eastern Europe.
The scenes are captioned in Russian, numbered from 1 to 6, showing:
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"Целуйте меня!" - "Kiss me!"
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"Прощай, милая девочка." - "Farewell, dear girl."
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"Что за грудки!" - "But the breasts!"
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"Ах! возлюбленный!" - "Ah, beloved!"
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"Дорогой Шпицунчик!" - "Dear Spitzunchik!"
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"Заснувшая спутница." - "Sleeping companion."
The illustrations were done with great finesse and typical Avril aesthetics: sensual, but not vulgar. The artist operates with soft lines and pastel colors, reminiscent of theatrical settings of intimate interiors of the era. The composition layout in the form of medallions and the use of the Russian language suggest that the series was intended for export - most likely for the Russian market or for wealthy Russian émigrés in the West.
This set is an exceptional example of European erotic art from the early 20th century, combining didactic, entertainment and collecting functions. The rare Russian version of the set significantly increases its historical and collector value.
Dimensions: postcard 13x9 cm
Condition as in the photos.
