The Sin by Heinrich Lossow painted in 1880 is the definitive example of religeous pornography.
Heinrich Lossow was a German genre painter who created pornography in his spare time.
This painting references the Banquet of Chestnuts, the famous orgy held at the Vatican on October 30th 1501.
The banquet was hosted by former Cardinal Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI.
Johann Burchard wrote about it in his diary, saying that naked courtesans crawled around between candelabras, picking up chestnuts with their mouths -
"On the evening of October 31st, 1501, Cesare Borgia organized a feast in his Vatican chambers with 'fifty honest prostitutes,' or courtesans, who first danced in their clothes and then naked with servants and other attendees. After dinner, candelabras with burning candles were placed on the floor, surrounded by scattered chestnuts. The courtesans picked up the chestnuts while Pope Alexander VI, Cesare, and his sister Lucretia watched. Prizes were given to those who engaged frequently in intimate acts with the courtesans. The winners received silk tunics, shoes, and other items"
It’s crucial to note that the authenticity of the Banquet of Chestnuts is primarily based on Johann Burchard's Latin diary, Liber Notarum, which has been a topic of much discussion. How much is fact and how much is artistic licence is debateable.
Why Heinrich Lossow painted this scene in reference to the sex orgy and not just one of courtesans and chestnuts, we’ll never know. but perhaps his lust and need to shock his audience with the image of the nun and monk breaking their vows of chastity in the Vatican - very heart of the Catholic Church - just got the better of him.
Johann Burchard -1450–1506 -was an Alsatian born priest and chronicler during the Italian Renaissance. He spent his entire career at the papal Courts of Sixtus IV, Innocent VIII, Alexander VIIII, Alexander VI, Pious III and finally Julius II. serving as papal Master of Ceremonies, a position from which he was able to observe most of the important events of the period.
Heinrich Lossow - 1843 - 1897 - was a German born painter and illustrator. He was also a prolific producer of pornographic art in his spare time.