Lesbos, Known as Sappho 1890

Félicien Rops created this drawing of “Lesbos, Known as Sappho” during the late 19th century, a time when academic artistic institutions were losing their grip. Here, Rops reinterprets the ancient Greek poet Sappho, known for her lyrical poetry often centered on female love and desire. The drawing depicts Sappho in a provocative, intimate encounter. By including “Lesbos” in the title, Rops alludes to Sappho’s origin and the modern association of the island with lesbianism. Rops was part of the Decadent movement, which challenged bourgeois norms and celebrated the unconventional. His art frequently explored themes of sexuality, death, and moral decay, reflecting the anxieties and shifting values of his time. Drawings and prints like this one circulated outside the mainstream galleries and salons, thanks to developments in printmaking and a growing market for the demimonde. To truly understand Rops’ work, we can delve into the archives of the art market, printmaking guilds, and social histories of the period, examining the ways that artists explored controversial topics and pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in art.