Ralph Ginzburg, publisher, "Eros"

Date: 1951 - 1975

Region: North America

Subject: Explicit Sexuality

Medium: Print Journalism


Artist: Ralph Ginzburg

Confronting Bodies: US Supreme Court

Dates of Action: Unknown - but see below.

Location: Unknown - but see below.

Description of Artwork: Erotic art, unusual in that it wasn't "common smut", but rather poems, paintings, and the like.

The Incident: Ralph was tried under the usual anti-pornography laws, and found guilty. Court specifically ruled that material had "no redeeming social value", despite its obvious artistic content.

Results of Incident: Jail time for Mr. Ginzburg.

Source: Go purchase a copy of "Eros on Trial", which is available for sale on the web. This short booklet describes the incident in detail, including trial transcripts. It's very interesting reading.