Venus in Furs
The novel draws themes and character inspiration heavily from
Sacher-Masochs own life. Wanda von Dunajew (the woman in which the
novel centralizes around) was named after Fanny Pistor, who was an
emerging literary writer. The two met when Pistor contacted
Sacher-Masoch, under the fictitious title of a noble Baroness
Bogdanoff, for suggestions on improvement of her works, to make
them suitable for publication. Inventing such a title for herself
is telling of the fanciful aspect of her character that would make
possible the charming and outrageous nature of their love
affair.
On December 8, 1869 Leopold and Fanny signed a contract making
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch the slave of Fanny Pistor Bogdanoff for
the period of six months, with the stipulation, doubtlessly at
Sacher-Masochs suggestion, that the Baroness wear furs as often as
possible, especially when she was in a cruel mood. Sacher-Masoch
took the alias of 'Gregor,' a stereotypical male servant's name,
and fitted out in disguise as the servant of the Baroness. The two
traveled by train to Italy. As in the novel, he traveled in the
third class compartment, while she had a seat in first class,
arriving in Venice (Florence, in the novel), where they were not
known, and would not arouse suspicion.
