CLASSIC: I Modi: The Scandalous Erotic Blockbuster Banned By The Vatican
Summary
Hosts Noel Brown and Ben Bowlin explore the scandalous history of *I Modi*, a 16th-century erotic print series created by Giulio Romano and Marcantonio Raimondi. They discuss how these explicit images, potentially painted in the Vatican or created as revenge against Pope Clement VII, became Europe’s first pornographic blockbuster. The episode covers the Church’s futile attempts to ban the work, the accompanying raunchy sonnets by Pietro Aretino, and the lasting legacy of this banned Renaissance sex guide.
Topics discussed
Intro: Vatican bans and Marcantonio Raimondi
Sponsor reads: Eglis and Botox
Therapy Gecko promo and show credits
Content warning and show team intro
Public vs private Pope and Italian stereotypes
Sala di Costantino and erotic frescoes
Raphael, Agostino Chigi, and the pleasure palace
Censorship of nudes and Therapy Gecko promo
Promos: Death of an Artist and Big Lives
Raphael's death and Giulio Romano's role
The origin of I Modi: Spite or commission?
Publication of I Modi and Pope Clement VII
Raunchy sonnets and the Sack of Rome
Vatican censorship and Hollywood Land promo
Promos: She Pivots, Death of an Artist, Big Lives
Reading bawdy sonnets and food metaphors
Pornography vs porn and academic tone
Outro, laughter, and producer thanks
Listener engagement and social media
Sponsor reads: Trelvi, Therapy Gecko, Psychology
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