Venus In Furs: New Translation & Illustraions by Sardax

“To be the slave of a woman, a beautiful woman, whom I love, whom I worship – !”
“And who mistreats you for it,” Wanda broke in, laughing.

Venus In Furs: New Translation & Illustraions by Sardax

The well-known fetish artist Sardax has produced a new translation of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s Venus in Furs. With his insight into the psychology of female power and his beautiful illustrations that feature within it (over 10 sumptuous paintings), this is surely the definitive version of this infamous novella. Highly recommend by The English Mansion.

Venus in Furs is a classic tragic romance following Severin’s intense adoration for Wanda who he idolises as a goddess and wishes to become nothing more than her slave. It is an uncompromising exploration of a Femdom relationship. He encourages her cruelty to him but when she starts to enjoy the role and play out her own fantasies there can only be disastrous consequences.

Although first published in 1870 in German, this is still an accessible read and a classic for anyone interested in Femdom or the power dynamic that exists between men and women. Though much of the book deals with the characters’ internal struggle with these power games; and Femdom’s influence in philosophy and art, it is still hugely erotic. Those of us aroused by BDSM, Dom and Sub will recognise from this story, although written over 140 years ago, aspects of our own desires. It has become the epitome of Femdom, which shows how influential it is as a work: cuckolding, whipping, fur fetish, servitude, foot-worship, slavery, bondage, contract signing, humiliation to name just some of what it contains.

Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg then part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and it is from his name we derive the term ‘Masochism’ because of the sexual activities described in Venus in Furs. The author has this notoriety along with the Marquis de Sade, who gives his name to ‘Sadism’ as both names were used by Krafft-Ebing in his Psychopathia Sexualis a dubious book about human sexuality.

This is an extract where Severin remembers a childhood experience that first set him on the path to worshipping cruel women draped in fur.

“My aunt decided to avail herself of their absence and pronounce judgement on me. Dressed in a fur-lined kazabaika jacket she came unexpectedly into my room, followed by the maid and the little minx that I had scorned. Without a word she grabbed and bound me hand and foot, despite my strenuous opposition. Then, an evil smile on her lips, she rolled up her sleeves and began to slash me with a large rod. She laid on so vigorously that blood flowed and despite my heroic courage I screamed and cried and begged for mercy. She then had me unbound and I was made to kneel and kiss her hand, thanking her for the punishment.”

Venus is Furs is the embodiment of Femdom and a treaty on the eternal war of the sexes. As such its influence is huge and it has been the subject of many films, plays and even music. Currently Roman Polanski is filming a new version based on the play Venus in Fur by David Ives which is a modern day setting of the story.

If you haven’t read this book, now is the time…

For more information and to purchase here

Sardax is a pseudonym for this famous established English Femdom artist. He describes the Venus in Furs project as a labour of love, taking 10 years to complete having found other translations unsympathetic. Many books feature his illustrations including The Art of Sardax (Erotic Print Society, 2006). He produces regular artworks and commissions and has his own members site Here.