~ ca 1920 ~
Bernard Montorgueil was the pseudonym of a French artist and writer known for BDSM and spanking-themed short stories and illustrations, created in the 1920s and 1930s. While little is known about the artist’s identity or the initial circulation of their work, Montorgueil’s stories and drawings, which focus on female domination and male submission, have become iconic in vintage erotica.
Shrouded in mystery, Montorgueil’s work first gained wider notice in the 1950s through underground circulation of four handwritten manuscripts, each accompanied by illustrations. These appeared in black-and-white in some editions and were later colorized (likely with watercolors) in others, possibly during 1970s republications. The art remains popular, with frequent reprints by publishers like La Musardine.
A key point of intrigue is the Originals album, which features three versions of the same scene: one signed “R. or K. Wesley” (dated 1931), one unsigned, and one signed “Bernard Montorgueil” (dated 1932). The signatures and dates raise questions about whether they represent the same artist, a copyist, or a misattribution—a puzzle that collectors often oversimplify. I’ve made this album publicly accessible to encourage further research and challenge unverified claims.
In 1970, Editions Dominique Leroy published the four manuscripts in limited editions for the Netherlands, followed by Editions Bel-Rose in France in 1979. These works may trace back to a privately circulated set from the 1920s–1930s, containing 59 lightly colored illustrations, as seen in the Little Color album. Additionally, two albums of raw sketches (one with 48 artworks, another with 27) are included, though their attribution is uncertain. These may be preparatory drawings by Montorgueil or works by another artist inspired by their style.
Illustrated books present in gallery below:
- Dressage (republished in 1979)
- Une Brune piquante (republished in 1979)
- Une Après-midi de Barbara republished in 1979)
- Les Quat’ jeudis (republished in 1979 as Les quatre jeudis)
9 albums/193 artworks
Latest Update: April 17, 2025 - Added 3 works to the album Little Color
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Karen Smits