Erotic bookcase by Carabin goes on show outside Paris for first time

An extraordinary erotic bookcase has been lent for display outside Paris for the first time, in an exhibition on French Belle poque prints at Amsterdams Van Gogh Museum. Designed by Franois-Rupert Carabin, it is surmounted by three female nudes modelled from prostitutes recruited at Montmartre brothels. Carabin (1862-1932), now largely known among cognoscenti, was a sculptor, engraver and photographer. His friends included Rodin, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec.The 1890 walnut bookcase was com