Salvator Rosa (Italian, 1615-1673) (and me) -Sheet of Satirical Studies (Amorini Riding Phalli) c. 1650s

Salvator Rosa (Italian, 1615-1673)

Sheet of Satirical Studies (Amorini Riding Phalli) c. 1650s

This outrageous and comical sheet stands out as one of the few existing examples of Rosa's representation of bawdy material. While Rosa was not interested in lewd imagery for vulgarity's sake, he certainly enjoyed intellectual jokes that advertised his erudite knowledge. The grotesque face at the right, and the cupids that ride the almost-elephantine phalli at center reference Classical and Renaissance motifs. Heads composed of objects-particularly the famous Testa di Cazzi ("head of penises")-were frequently used as decoration on Renaissance maiolica ceramics. This kind of imagery- like the museum's witchcraft paintings-would have been understood by 17th-century audiences as more than just grotesquerie. The exaggerated and lampooning qualities of this drawing both reference and parody these famous artistic traditions, showing how Rosa frequently used satirical humor to establish his identity as a sharp and sophisticated artist.
 from Cleveland Museum

I had seen other phallic artwork from Ancient Rome, but wasn't thinking much about them and I had never see Salvator Rosa's work when I was sketching some ideas out for these. My own ideas revolve around gender and how intrinsic the penis is to our sense of self. I have a few others I work on or think about working on and end up just thinking about. How we view the problem of not having a penis and what the penis represents in our own psyche. My dreams of "catching" or failing to catch mine. How much the are part of our landscape and power. A million other thoughts surround my phantom genitals.  So it may be vulgar or not to others, but it's something  I and many other trans men explore. 

I found this on the fantastic art blog of "Ganymeade Rocks" tumblr today.