When it became clear that the idiots at tumblr were going to really ban nudity, a number of us snarfed up whatever material we could in a hurry before it all went bye-bye. Among my looted items were a number of photos that either appeared to be or were purported to be by von Gloeden. Today I'm posting five of those in which I have high confidence of authenticity, starting with this mustachioed young man standing against a rock face in an almost startling pose.
The more I look at it, the more I like it.
The male almost "blends into" the background here. He looks almost emaciated, too. I wonder how many of these men did this solely for the money, out of desperation.
ReplyDeleteI have a few who look even thinner than this, and I think the way he is posed makes him look skinnier than might otherwise be the case. Some of von Gloeden's models were known to be middle class, but most were probably peasant types.
DeleteHe is thin, but I think in a natural way. None of the "misshapen" features of some men of this era. It rather bleached out, however he does have a full and quite even musculature. I'd say middle class, but face and feet are tanned. Interesting.
DeleteI'd say a lot of them. Remember, many of these models were minors by today's standards; it was either this or be a caruso.
ReplyDeleteBarefooted Sicilian farmer?
DeleteApprentice, typically beginning around 8-10. The term was also used for miners.
DeleteThe fascists actually ended the practice, so Mussolini did something right.