World Museum Of Erotic Art

Alas for anyone who'd like to pick up a Bettie Page ashtray in the gift shop to take home, the World Museum of Erotic Art only exists in the virtual world—which is probably a good thing since no one really wants to stand around and look at dirty pictures as a tour group of senior citizens walks behind you. Other than that, it's very much like a real museum with exhibits and collections of paintings and illustrations from throughout history, proving that sexual art didn't begin when the camera was invented. In addition to the free "museum," they also operate a set of companion sites devoted to video, vintage photography and other assorted odds and ends, though you'll have to pay for membership to enter those halls. (You won't get away with sticking a quarter in the "suggested donation" box.) Still, this is clearly a labor of love from folks who appreciate that idea that just because a painting has some pubic hair and the occasional exposed penis, that doesn't mean it can't be good art. Others might say that's a prerequisite for good art, but we'll leave that argument to the scholars.

· World Museum of Erotic Art (ameanet.org - and don't forget to send a postcard!)

Previously: 100,000 Years of Sex, "Kink" @ Museum of Sex, Prague Sex Machines Museum, Michele Capozzi: "Pornology", "Eros in Modern Art", Art Boobs, "Peeping, Probing and Porn"