The History & Arts of the Dominatrix

THE HISTORY & ARTS OF THE DOMINATRIX by Anne O Nomis This much-anticipated book is the illustrated treatise on the Dominatrix throughout history. Begun in 2009, it has taken four years to come to be published with artwork illustrated with permission of the highest museums and libraries in the world. No book previously existed on the subject. Nomis set to work meticulously researching the most discreet and mysterious occupation of the Dominatrix. This book reveals the ancient roots of the Dominatrix lie within sacred rituals to a Goddess Inanna who ruled one of the most important cities of the ancient world, the city of Uruk (or Warka). With a Masters degree in archaeology and art history, Nomis has included exerts of a hymn to the Goddess with rites of gender transformation, punishment, pain and ecstasy, linked to the high en-priestess named Enheduanna, and images of the Goddess. Into the English history record, the secular profession appears in books from the 17th Century, with flagellation prints of the Dominatrix in role of 'Whipstress' and 'School-Mistress'. The ladies providing birch discipline were interlinked with royalty, nobility, parliamentarians and secret societies. By the 19th Century, London held 20 sumptuously appointed discipline houses, run by 'Governess' Dominatrices, one of whom invented a special machine for whipping, known as the Berkley Horse. In the 20th Century, the book presents rare vintage snapshots of mid-20th Century ladies of the 'bizarre underground' in time, space and place, from London, New York, The Hague and The Herbertstrasse. Lastly, Nomis examines the contemporary occupation of the modern-day Dominatrix, and contributes a theory of their 'Seven Realm Arts' characterizing their practices in a framework beyond the catch-all term of BDSM. This book is the seminal work on the subject of the Dominatrix, her history and her arts as a unique craft. "Painstakingly researched...The quintessential treatise on dominant women throughout the ages...impressive work." (David Jackson, DDI) "Elusive author Nomis sheds light on a mysterious underground world in this fascinating exploration of female dominatrices... The book provides exciting commentary on shifting attitudes toward sex, female power, and female sexuality across different time periods and regions, complete with dazzling visual aids and artifacts. VERDICT Recommended for collections with high demand for sociology and anthropology titles, particularly on the subjects of gender and sexuality." (Library Journal - Review) "The author does her research and presents a concise history of female authority figures and their development throughout human history...well-written." (Leatherati Review USA) Illustrated with artwork and 86+ images from the British Museum, Iraq Museum, Penn Museum, Oriental Institute of Chicago, Fitzwilliam Museum of Cambridge University, Villa of Mysteries Pompeii, British Library Rare Books, Library of Congress Washington DC, National Portrait Gallery, Yale Center for British Art, Kinsey Institute, with vintage images by artist John Willie from Bélier Press, vintage Dominatrices from DDI Magazine, Atom Age and private collection, contemporary artwork by Natasha Gornik, Kate Peters, Phil Miller, Nuit' d'Or and Lucina Nathanael. As an e-book / kindle without the beautiful design format of the hardcopy due to limitations of software associated with e-books. Print Length: 288 pages Publisher: Anna Nomis Ltd; Digital e-Book first edition 9780992701024 edition (December 12, 2013) This is the Second Edition (Revised & Enlarged) of a work that was originally published in 1974 (144 pages, cloth) and sold over 26,000 copies in the US alone. It was translated into French, German and Italian, and was also made into a movie, THE PERILS OF GWENDOLINE (1984, directed by Just Jaeckin). This revised edition was published on December 9, 1999, the birthday of `John Willie`, as well as the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of the first edition. It contains 368 pages, which includes a wealth of previously unpublished and uncollected work by the artist. Also included in this expanded edition are 36 black and white reproductions of drawings and paintings (circa 1935-50), most from original artwork and all but 2 have never been published before. Along with the black and white illustrations are an equal number of full-color pages many of which are previously unpublished. The biographical introduction has been expanded to include much new information about J.W. - including 4 previously unpublished photographs of the artist! The book traces the history of dominant women through the ages, from the ancient world, to the female flagellants and whip-wielding governesses of the 17th-19th Century, to the bizarre ladies of the 20th Century underground. It goes on to theorize what a Dominatrix "does" in a framework set out as "The Seven Realm Arts".The academic book on the history of the Dominatrix through the ages, with meticulous research from libraries and museums. From the ancient Dominatrix Goddess Inanna - Ishtar, the 17th - 19th Century Governess Dominatrix, the 20th Century 'Bizarre' ladies. Lastly Nomis theory on the Dominatrix's practices as the 'Seven Realm Arts'.