Richard von Krafft-Ebing’s (1840 – 1902) principal work is Psychopathia Sexualis: eine Klinisch-Forensische Studie (Sexual Psychopathy: A Clinical-Forensic Study), which was first published in 1886 and expanded in subsequent editions. The last edition from the hand of the author (the twelfth) contained a total of 238 case histories of human sexual behaviour.
This book popularized the terms sadism (derived from the brutal sexual practices depicted in the novels of Marquis de Sade) and masochism (derived from the name of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch). Krafft-Ebing also coined the term anilingus in this book.
Psychopathia Sexualis was one of the first books about sexual practices that studied homosexuality/bisexuality. It proposed consideration of the mental state of sex criminals in legal judgements of their crimes. During its time, it became the leading medico–legal textual authority on sexual pathology.
Man with a mustache dressed in women’s clothing; he is wearing an exotic costume with corset type doublet and hose, carrying a whip.
Man standing with arms joined above head, wearing a corset type belt, tasselled skirt and ladies calf length stud-fastening boots. He has his hands raised above his head on a ballet style pose.
Man standing facing background and turning head towards front, wearing corset or bodice, ladies shoes and thigh high stockings, long gloves and holding an open fan above his head with both arms.
Man seated, wearing ladies shoes and stockings, ruffle or lace edged open top (bare chested) and shorts or skirt, holding up an open fan. He is seated on a table with his feet resting on a stool.
Person seated aloft on a covered coffin next to skull and cross bones, reading a book. The face has been crossed through with black ink.
Portrait of Richard von Krafft-Ebing.
