This collection is comprised of manuscript materials, excerpts, journals, auction catalogues, booksellers' bulletins, and books by Félicien Rops and his contemporaries. Rops, a Belgian engraver, illustrator and painter, is associated with the Belgian avant-garde and the Symbolists of the late 19th century. Rops gained fame through his use of erotic and Satanic imagery and his mastery of the Realist style. The materials date from the 1870s to circa 1913.

Collection donor Michael G. Wilson is best known as the producer and screenwriter of films in the James Bond series (per Prints and Drawings curator Naoko Takahatake). Wilson, born in New York City in 1942, obtained degrees in electrical engineering and law and later joined the film business of his stepfather, Albert R. Broccoli. In 2008 he was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire. In addition to his work in film, Wilson is a noted collector and expert in nineteenth century photography, and co-authored the book Pictorialism in California with Dennis Read.

5.2 Linear feet 5 boxes.

Contact the Balch Research Library at 323-856-6118 or library@lacma.org for information on publishing or reproducing materials included in these records. Permission will be granted by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art as the owner of the physical materials, and does not imply permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all necessary permissions from the copyright holder.

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment only through the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Balch Art Research Library. Telephone 323-857-6118 or email library@lacma.org.