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The Ildefonso Group, Prado, Madrid

Loving the opportunity to share another two brothers, Risqué, in this wonderful engraving of Castor and Pollux, enjoys the homme sur l’homme. As the story goes, these twin brothers were sons of the immortal Zeus, who had changed himself into a beautiful swan and seduced the mortal Leda, the wife of the king of Sparta. Pollux and Castor just so happen to be the brothers (clutch mates) of Helen of Troy…you know, the Trojan War. Eventually, the brothers pursued two beautiful sisters who were already betrothed to suitors. The twins challenged and killed their rivals, but Castor was mortally wounded.

Risqué can’t help but think that they would have been better off pursuing the suitors instead of the sisters. Si tragique! Remember that… Suitors not Sisters!!!

However, filled with “incestuant” love and overcome with grief, the immortal Pollux couldn’t bear being apart from his brother (who had taken up residence in Hades…) so in the end, Z daddy placed both their immortal souls together in the sky as symbols of “brotherly” love. The hatched “youths of Zeus” ultimately became known as the two bright stars that form the heads of the constellation of eternal gaiety, Gemini found in the nighttime skies.

In history the Romans called the stars the “Twin Brethren”, in Egypt they were called “Horus the Elder and Horus the Younger”, in Babylon they were the “Great Twins” and in China they were called “Yin and Yang”.

In Risqué’s mind they are called… more than just …a little gay!

Ross Watson “After Caravaggio” Oil on Board

Risqué just loves Ross Watson’s delicious body of work and especially “After Caravaggio”. Already adoring Caravaggio is a good start but Ross brings this into a contemporary genre by contrasting the classical realism against the modern images and mimics the Light on Dark tenebrous classic technique in his erotically charged works.

Ross’ international renowned and collected works provoke the viewer (voyeur) almost to an emotional connection with the subjects and effortlessly tie the classically referenced work to the modern insertion, seemingly with the same thoughts and feelings and more as if the artist’s subjects are peering out from their dimension and actually viewing the viewer. For additional stimulation, visit Ross’ extensive body of work at the Ross Watson Gallery. Risqué could certainly be caught imbibing in a vin de jour and gazing into the eyes of Ross’ licentious blue eyed, dark and lovely “guardian angel” and contemplating his heavenly aggressions.

Matthew Stradling – Angel – Oil on Canvas

Highly collectible, Matthew Stradling, a renowned British artist has made Risqué do a double take over his beautiful erotic bejeweled angels. While Risqué, a lover and follower of the ecclesiastical male figure, adores the way Matthew has fabulously captured the angel’s lithe body and divine innocence. Risqué can’t help but want one (or two) for Christmas.

Matthew’s art is a part of many collections around the world and Risqué is honored to feature Matthew’s work for all his lushes to celebrate.

Dennis Dean - Photographer

Risqué has in fact been known to occasionally tug on the fruit of the vine and gaze intently at magnificently chiseled men. Risqué can’t help but feel that the “objet d’arte” in the photograph looks as if he would rather have someone else plucking his grapes. Risqué would love to play dress-up as the laborer at harvest time.

As grapes are the fruit of the gods, Dennis Dean is truly a cornucopia of talent among photographers. In “Male Nude with Grapes” he captures the plausible beauty of the lusty male physique. Internationally known, Dennis Dean uses dramatic contrast lighting and the watchful fascination of the subject to cause the spectator to intently focus on the fruit of the vine, the cluster of grapes. All of Dennis’ photography incites a provocative perspective and can be seen at DennisDean.com. Besides being the Creative Director of Window Media’s 411 Magazine, Express News and additional métier, Dennis Dean is not so bad on Risqué’s eyes himself.

Risqué says “life is too short so pluck grapes when ever the moment arises!!!”

Edmé Bouchardon (French, 1698–1762)

Fauns have always piqued the imagination of Risqué and particularly this blatantly homoerotic Hunk-o-Chunk, Block-o-Beefcake, Stud-o-Stone…

Fauns or as the Ancient Greeks referred to them in their mythology, Satyrs, half human and half goat creatures whose devotion was to the god of wine, Dionysus (Bacchus). Throughout the history of art these mischievous and raucous creatures can be seen drinking and cavorting with men and usually in a perpetual state of arousal… disappointedly, unlike our favorite sleeping faun.

The life sized sculpture is Edmé Bouchardon’s (French, 1698–1762) marble copy, gracing the Louvre in Paris, of the original ancient Hellenistic Barberini Faun, now in the Glyptothek museum in Munich. Little is known about its origin or creator as the statue was found in the 1620’s at the Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome. The piece was submitted for restoration in 1628 and had been severely damaged, missing parts of both hands, legs and feet. Historical documents note that in 537AD during the siege of Rome, statues that had adorned the Castel (previously Hadrian’s Mausoleum) were thrown down on the invading Goths and given the location of it’s discovery it is presumed that this was the origin of the damage.

The uniqueness of this ancient work is in its overt sexuality… as the faun lies upon a panther skin on the rocks with his legs slung deliberately open drawing the admirer’s attention into its sexual embrace.

Risqué most specifically adores the silent but unmistakable expression of ecstasy, forever captured on the face of his beautiful fantasy faun.

Risqué just got a tip on a new exhibition of ANTHONY GAYTON’s “THE FALL” opening TONIGHT! (November 27^th) In

Anthony Gayton, Photographer

Risqué is deeply moved by “The Death of Abel”. The disturbing photo exhibits a beautiful young lifeless Abel, lying partially on his back with a fleshy drape spilling from between his legs on to the ground as if it were his life force. His arms are drawn back in a relaxed fashion of death while his face shows no expression… only as if asleep. Anthony Gayton does like to “Challenge perceptions of the real and invent truths by telling convincing lies” and certainly leads the viewer down this path making you believe that this is actually Abel. And, one can see that the subject in the photograph is of more contemporary nature than would have been at the mythos of the beginning of mankind, being Adam and (St)Eve’s child.

After a tear fell into his wine glass, Risqué thought “Who could possibly slay such beauty acceptable to God (and Risqué). Of course…it was Cain…or not!”

Risqué wonders… “Where Abel got the fleshy drape?”

One can see more of Anthony Gayton’s fabulous photos by going to AnthonyGayton.com.

Stevee Postman, Photographer and Photo Shop Artist

Hallucinogenic and mesmerizing is the effect of Stevee Postman’s work on Risqué. Stevee’s works exude an elevated consciousness, an Eastern enlightened sense with a spiritual sensuality at their core. The delicious work, “Pitcher Boy”, embodies the essence of his series… Incarnation

Risqué is captivated by the playful use of Purple Pitcher Plant (Sarraceniaceae Purplosa) with it’s sensual, almost primal, erotic shapes and venous mapped leaves all for it’s carnivorous trappings juxtaposed the almost prayerful inked nude male firmly gripping their imaginatively fiery stems.

Stevee shares… “My art explores the mystery of life and nature through its interconnectedness to spirit. That is what my art is about. I like to blend technology with the organic in ways that communicate these mysteries through a kind of techno-paganism. My creative process is a sort of prayer for me, an offering.”

The sensuous work of Stevee Postman leaves Risqué entranced and offering his sacred vessel for any libation poured from such!!!

Oh Pitcher Boy!!!

Benoit Prevot, Artist, Illustrator Extraordinaire

Benoit often muses with “Pourquoi dessiner?” Why draw? Why??? Because Risqué adores Benoit Prevot’s classy, sophisticated, playfully imp’ish and naughty sense of humor and style.

Benoit Prévot is a french illustrator whose passion comes through in his gay erotic work… passion for expressing himself though his drawings. Passion for the Art Deco style and for the fading expression of gentry and masculine glamour. Ben, as known to Risqué , has recently completed a feature gay comic, “Angel Face”, situated in the 1920’s and is currently working on the sequel.

Benoit’s gentleman is wholly consumed by his own fantasy. His liquid imaginings are perfectly blended with the wine to create an existential orgy of thought.

One wonders if Benoit has been at some of the Vin fueled parties where Risqué ended up splashing around with a bunch of naked men!

Risqué says “Voulez vous coucher avec Benot ce soir” in his sensuous boudoir at www.benoitprevot.com.

INMAN FAMILY 2005 Olivet Grange Vineyard Pinot Noir,

Russian River Valley

It was love at first sniff with Inman Family Wines delectable Pinot Noir almost five years ago at a Charity wine auction in Los Angeles and everytime Risqué gets the opportunity to luxuriate in a delectable glass, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s “The Roses of Heliogabalus” is summoned to mind.

The nose is drenched in concentrated pink rose petals, violets, cherry and rich Darjeeling black tea perfectly set against the bright ruby chroma. This 100% Estate Grown Pinot is delightfully balanced with flavors of wild strawberries, succulent lip-staining pomegranate, tart Montmorency cherries and a hint of bitter cocoa. The exotics of sandalwood and cardamom add to the rose petal soft satiny tannins through out the lingering luxurious finish.

Risqué selfishly covets the older bottles as they are gaining elegant complexity with age. Risqué‘s only regret is not acquiring more. This is truly a hedonistic festival in every bottle. Be careful not to drown beneath the petals!

13.2% Alcohol
($45)