When a man loves a woman, to him, she becomes the most beautiful creature in the world. To him, her ample derriere; her breasts, perhaps slightly different in size; are pure perfection. Michael Berkowitz views all his subjects with the eye of a lover. Rather than fetishizing an unattainable ideal of beauty, he celebrates the natural beauty of his subjects, presenting her as a total woman rather than the sum of her parts. His women exude the erotic glow and alluring sensuality of a temptress inviting her lover to bed. They are real woman with real desires; each beautiful and sexual in her own, unique way. While the "cultural" ideal of beauty changes over time (from the Gibson Girls to Twiggy to J. Lo), there is a timeless appeal to a woman who is not afraid to express her own sexuality. Although the models range from tall to short, dark-skinned to fair, full-figured to sparrow-like, they are all 100% natural - no plastic surgery or augmentations. For "Erotic Flashback", Berkowitz places his subjects in lavish, textured sets, all created by him, evocative of Victorian-style French postcards. They are draped in lush fabrics and opulent accessories, collected from his travels all over the world - Thai and Moroccan silks; Oriental carpets; Uzbeki and Kashmiri embroideries; Indian and Burmese jewelry. His women recline languorously on pillowed divans, stand challengingly beside elaborate screens or sprawl in comfortable chairs as if awaiting approach. It's difficult to discern whether these photos were taken last week or last century. The photos in "Erotic Flashback" were all taken in his Manhattan studio, with a simple 4 x 5 camera, a standard portrait lens, and Kodak Tri-X film, using natural light, augmented, when necessary, with studio flashes and reflectors. Berkowitz, once a painter, sculptor and performance artist whose work is in museums and collections throughout the world, has long eschewed the minimalist sensibility, opting instead for the maximalist kind of detail that can have you discovering new things in his artwork every time you look at it. For most of his artistic career, his highly conceptual work, though often intellectually challenging, always focused on the spiritual. It has only been in the last several years that he has retreated from "art with a deeper message" to "art for beauty's sake." Nevertheless, there is deeper meaning in his current work, both for him, for the viewer and even for the models, few of whom are professionals. His subjects have expressed, almost unanimously, how sexually liberating the experience has been for them. When he initially began this body of work, Berkowitz did pay amateur models, but it wasn't long before women from all walks of life - students and scientists, lawyers, secretaries and housewives -- approached him, asking to be photographed exchange for "the best photos anybody's ever taken" of them. His work challenges all of us to view every woman we see in a different light - as a real, sensual being who comes alive when loved. © 2004 Adrienne E. Gusoff All rights reserved Adrienne Gusoff is a freelance writer who writes extensively about relationships and sexuality. Her work has appeared in national men's magazines as well as in various on-line e-zines. Abigail Alexa Alice Amber Anamaria Ariel Cassidy Claudia Chris Christina Christina, II Cordelia Dacia Dara Dyvorah Fallon Iris Jen Jenni Jennah Jesme Jezebel Julie Julie, II Karen Karen, II Kate Katerina Kerry Kim Kristine Laurie Liz Marta Melody Michelle Minxen Monika Phoenix Rachel Rayne Rebecca Reive Robyn Sara Sativa Sirena Stephanie Theda Tiana Tienne Vivienne Vixen Widow Willow Xana Yaya