Edouard-Henri Avril was a French painter and artist who, under the pseudonym Paul Avril, also illustrated erotic literature. His fame helped him collaborate with influential personalities, such as Henry Spencer Ashbee, Octave Uzanne, and Friedrich Karl Forberg. Before working as an illustrator, he served as a soldier and was awarded with the ‘Legion of Honour’ for his contribution in the ‘Franco-Prussian War.’ He made the nineteenth century erotica extremely explicit. During this time, erotica was a pleasure enjoyed only by the rich who could afford the various kinds of expensive erotic novels and other works. He knew exactly how to blur the lines between art and erotica. Not a lot is known about him and his background, particularly because of the salacious nature of the work he produced and that too under an assumed name. He travelled all the way to Paris where he honed his artistic capabilities by spending time at various Parisian salons. He also gained mastery by studying at the prestigious art school ‘Ecole des Beaux-Arts.’
