The Indiscreet Reading
Franz von Bayros was the master of the 'naughty' bookplate, and this ex libris created for Fred Hope is a delightful example of his style. A whimsical, semi-clad woman draped in clouds of ruffles sits atop a pedestal, playfully holding a ribbon while a mischievous cherub reads a large book at her feet. Surrounded by scattered volumes and blooming roses, the scene captures the playful, slightly erotic spirit of early 20th-century illustration. Bayros was famous for pushing the boundaries of propriety with his delicate yet suggestive line work, often landing him in trouble with censors of his time.
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