Imre von Santho (1900-1946), under the pseudonym of J de CHANTEAU. A series of original drawings for an erotic alphabet. Budapest, c.1920s.

Paul MAK (1891-1967) ~ Pan, oil on panel 1955

James Ensor (1860-1949) ~ Devils thrilling Angels and Archangels, engraving and gouache 1888

Ex Libris... for Georg Bein, artist and date unknown

Ex Libris ~ R B, Gorgon/ Medusa Motto: Tibi Semper = Always to you, date unknown

Witch ~ Carnival poster, lithograph, 1890. Published by C. Burckardt, German, active late 19th century

Born today... George William Russell Æ, April 10, 1867, Lurgan, Northern Ireland

''Yet of my night I give you the stars,

And of my sorrow here the sweetest gains...''

image: George William Russell, Mystical figures

Kali Presents Demon Heads to Durga ~ Opaque watercolor with gold on paper, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Late 18th century

Louis Cattiaux (1904-1953) ~ DIVINITE, Oil on Canvas, date unknown

Édouard Chimot (1880 – 1959) ~ illustration for Les Fleurs du mal, 1941

Odilon Redon (1840-1916) ~ Pilgrim of the Sublunary World from Dreams, lithograph, 1891

On the satin back of the avalanche soft, 
She falls into lingering swoons, as she dies, 
While she lifteth her eyes to white visions aloft, 
Which like efflorescence float up to the skies. 
Charles Baudelaire, Tristesses de la lune from Fleurs du Mal

Born today...Charles Pierre Baudelaire, poet, April 9, 1821, Paris, France

The Spiritual Dawn

When upon revellers the stained dawn breaks 

The fierce ideal comes with it; at that hour, 

Stirred by some terrible avenging power, 

An angel in the sated brute awakes. 

Above the stricken, suffering man there glow 

Far azure plains of unimagined bliss 

Which draw his dreaming spirit like the abyss. 

O pure, beloved Goddess, even so 

O'er the smoked wrecks of stupid scenes of shame 

Brighter and rosier thy sweet memory 

Hovers before my wide eyes hauntingly...

The Sun has dimmed and charred the candles' flame, 

And thus, my glorious all-conquering one, 

Thy shade is peer to the immortal Sun

~ Fleurs du mal / Flowers of Evil

image: Carlo Farneti (1892-1961) illustration for Les Fleurs du Mal 1935