Joseph Zacharie Jacques Apoux (1846 – 1910) was known as Joseph Apoux. The artist was born in the center of France, but seems to have spent his adult life in Paris.  It’s unclear under what circumstances brought him to the capital, and how much training he received as an artist.  He studied painting and drawing with Jean-Léon Gérôme. He then specialized in aquatint and drypoint engraving. Apoux exhibited from 1880 and participated in the l’Exposition internationale du Blanc et Noir in 1886.
Apoux was a fine etcher, who specialized in erotica, he became known for his pornographic art Alphabet pornographique (1880) but he also created some dark fantasy artworks, with erotic vibe. He tended to create sets, rather than isolated compositions.  These themed series, such as Danseuses, Sorcières or Zodiaque, often came in sets of 6 prints.  

Illustrated by Apoux:

  • Six Caprices (1882)
  • Des Danseuses
  • Le Zodiaque
  • Mes Etapes Amoreuses (1891)
  • Les Tableaux vivants ou mes confessions aux pieds de la duchesse (1891)
  • Eveline, aventures et intrigues d’une jeune miss du grand monde (1891)
  • Rêveries fantastiques (1895)
  • Pointes sèches (ca 1900)
  • Sorcieres (ca 1900)
  • Les Etoiles/Premier Quartier (1910)