Morals Versus Art

By Anthony Comstock

Morals versus Art by Anthony Comstock
Comstock was a fervent advocate of Victorian morality and led a campaign to ce3nsor things he considered vulgar or offensive. His book, Morals versus Art, he describes as an attempt to decide what is lewd, obscene or impure in terms of the law.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Good Press
• Release date: Dec 8, 2020
• ISBN: 4064066402853

Book preview

Anthony Comstock

Morals Versus Art

Published by Good Press, 2022

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EAN 4064066402853

Table of Contents

Which Shall it Be, Pure Morals or Impure Art?

Morality or Obscenity, Which?

Art for Art's Sake

Nude in Art

The Obscene, Lewd and Indecent in Art,

The Laws

Principles of Law Involved

Test of Obscenity

Such a Photograph Not a Work of Art

Intent

Expert Testimony

Artists Oppose Comstock

Our Enemies

Synopsis

Which Shall it Be, Pure Morals or Impure Art?

Table of Contents

In attempting a discussion upon this subject we find ourselves surrounded by prejudices, and a feeling almost of intolerance on the part of some, because of the gross misstatements, misrepresentations and falsehoods, that have been recently published against us.

The secular press have undertaken to try through the columns of the newspapers, a case which we have brought into court by due process of law for adjudication by law, not upon evidence or facts, but by ridicule, sneers and misrepresentations. One paper sneeringly says: Who gave Mr. Comstock and his society authority to decide the limits of the virtuous and pure in art? We do not decide. The courts are the ones appointed by law to do that.

Not stopping to run down any of these newspaper misstatements, nor to reply to any of the attacks made upon us, it is proposed in the good interest of good morals to present,

First, the subject of morals and the principles of law involved.

Second, the test or legal definition of the words obscene, lewd or indecent.

The principles set forth herein are those which have controlled the action of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice since its very first inception. Our judgment, however imperfect the newspapers would have it appear to be, has been and is based upon the principles herein set forth. Our actions are not governed by the will or wish to the individual, but entirely by the principles of law and tests as laid down by the courts of England and America during the past century and a half.

Morality or Obscenity, Which?

Table of Contents

Pure morals are of first importance. They are protected by law; while art, if unclean, is not. The morals of the youth of this country are endangered by obscenity and indecency in the shape of photographs of lewd French art -- a foreign foe. Ignorance of the real scope and purport of the law against obscenity, and the real tests to be applied in the enforcement of these laws, are two of the strongest points in favor of the enemy of our youth. A mistaken idea also prevails, that a painting or engraving, though exerting an obscene or demoralizing influence, is exempt from the provisions of law because it is called a work of art. It is attempted to defend the indiscriminate sale of these French