David Leddick

While the female nude has long played a concpicuous role in western iconography, the male nude has not always enjoyed such adoration. This collection provides an overdue review of material that at one time could only be bought under the counter, beginning with the anonymous erotica of the 19th century. It features the pioneer homoerotic nude photographs of Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden, posing nude youths in classical postures at Taormina in Sicily. It includes illustrations from groundbreaking magazines such as Physique Pictorial, the leading organ of the mid-50s gay scene, and it covers the entire range from classic masters of male nude photography, such as Herbert List, George Platt Lynes or Robert Mapplethorpe, to the pin-up beefcake of the sex magazines.

The boys are back in town: A short history of male nude photography While the female nude has long played a conspicuous role in western iconography, the male nude has not always enjoyed such attention, or acceptance. Thisode to the male physiquecelebrates the evolving, at one time illicit, art form from anonymous 19th century erotica through to contemporary work fromDavid HockneyandDuane Michaels.Throughthe classic, the playful, and the provocative, it explores the compositions, postures, and role-playing of this often under-explored genre. Esteemed masters such asHerbert List, George Platt LynesorRobert Mapplethorpe are all there, alongsideBaron Wilhelm von Gloeden, famed for his homoerotic images ofnude youths in classical postures in Sicily. Further highlights include illustrations fromPhysique Pictorial, the leading organ of the mid-50s gay scene and a pioneer in gay publishing. About the Series: Bibliotheca Universalis Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe at an unbeatable, democratic price!Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, the name TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible, open-minded publishing.Bibliotheca Universalisbrings together nearly 100 of our all-time favorite titles in a neat new format so you can curate your own affordable library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia.Bookworm s delight never bore, always excite! Text in English, French, and German "