Apparently the only complete portfolio of erotic prints that Willette created, Les péchés capitaux (The Capital Sins) was created over an eleven-year period between 1906 and 1917, and published in its entirety in 1917 in a printed binder.

The images portray the seven classic ‘deadly sins’ – la paresse, l’orgueil, la luxure, la gourmandise, l’avarice, l’envie, et la colère (sloth, pride, lust, gluttony, avarice, envy and anger).

Les péchés capitaux are detailed and lively compositions, showing Willette’s lithographic skills to their best advantage. Each sin is clearly identifiable, lust, gluttony and avarice being particularly notable for their imagination and humour.