FRANZ VON BAYROS

Marquis Franz von Bayros (1866 – 1924), also known by his pseudonym Choisy Le Conin, was an Austrian artist and son of a Spanish nobleman. He is known for his erotic illustrations for the Decadence Movement, his early Art Nouveau style which follows in the footstep of Aubrey Beardsley, and was probably one of the earliest artists who could be described as including fetish themes in his art, essentially becoming the first "fetish artist." His illustrations are noted for their intricate detail, as well as their hidden eroticism which is often combined with objects and architecture in the background of his images.

In 1886, at 17, he studied at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, where both Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele were to later study, and became close with Johann Strauss and his circle of friends. Not much else is known about his time at the Academy. In 1896 he married a step daughter of Johann Strauss and then moved to Munich in 1897.

In 1904, von Bayros gave his first exhibition in Munich, which was a great success. From 1904 until 1908, von Bayros traveled to Paris and Italy for his studies.

In 1911 he created his most famous work, an erotic portfolio titled 'Erzahlungen vom Toilettentisch' ('Tales from the Dressing Table'). The illustrations in this portfolio caused such controversy, he was later arrested and exiled from Germany, returning to Vienna.

From:

http://www.eroti-cart.com/franz-von-bayros-c-53_60