In his study of High Renaissance art, Professor of English James Turner demonstrates the surprisingly close connection between explicitly pornographic art and the canonical works of masters such as Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Eros Visible (Yale, 2017) examines how a new sex-positive philosophy not only encouraged an increased accentuation of sensual and erotic themes in art, but influenced the sexual cultures of both the court and the art studio.

Turner is joined by Andrew Stewart (Art History/Classics) and Joanna Picciotto (English). After a brief discussion of Turner's work, they open the floor for discussion.